Our specially trained nurses and carers support children with complex medical needs, while our Family Support Team provide holistic care for the whole family. Our specialist bereavement service supports any family whose child has died.
Vote for A Little Light in the Smiley Film Awards
Last year, we created a powerful video, 'A little light in the darkness', which tells the moving story of Alison and Warren and their son, Dylan-James, and the care and support Shooting Star provided when the unimaginable happened.
We're thrilled to announce the film has been shortlisted in the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards. With your vote, you could help our film reach even more people and raise awareness of our vital work.
Vote for us
How we help
Children with life-limiting conditions
We support children with life-limiting conditions with a range of services from symptom management to respite, social support, therapies, family events and more.
Bereaved families
Families grieving the death of a child are offered the support of our specialist bereavement service for three years and three months. Services include counselling, arts therapy for siblings and a dedicated person to be your named point of contact.
Shooting Star Children's Hospices
Our specialist care and support is available 365 days a year
We care for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families. Whether lives are measured in days, weeks, months, or years, we’re here to make every moment count.
We support families across Surrey, south west and north west London
From diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement, we’re here for the families we support with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.
It costs £12 million a year to run Shooting Star Children's Hospices
Only 29% of our funding comes from the government, so we rely on our supporters’ generosity to keep the service running.
Gwen's story
“You can’t explain the feeling when you walk into Shooting Star – it’s like everything’s been lifted off your shoulders. Gwen comes for respite, symptom stays, day trips and events. She loves it and never wants to leave!”
