International recognition of our hospice model

At Shooting Star, we believe the best care comes from sharing knowledge, building connections and learning from one another. That’s why we’re always delighted to welcome professionals from across the world who want to learn more about our services.

Sharing specialist knowledge

Last year, Christopher’s welcomed three clinical social workers from Shanghai, China – Jingzhi Chen, MSW, MA, Qing Cao, PhD, MSW, and Ying Gao, MSW (pictured above), who came to visit the hospice as part of a UK learning programme. The team works in a major paediatric oncology hospital, with over 1,000 beds, supporting the psychosocial needs of children and families receiving palliative care.

During their visit, they met with colleagues across our multidisciplinary team, including Sarah Hodkinson, Head of Psychosocial Services, Paul Lawrence,
Head of Safeguarding and Anna Freshwater, Transitional Social Worker. They explored how Shooting Star supports families through specialist psychosocial care, safeguarding, transition support, clinical services and education. Reflecting on their experience, they described the visit as “truly inspirational”.

Shaping a new children’s hospice

In February this year, representatives from the Karl Vella Foundation in Malta visited Leanne Walsh, Deputy Director of Care, at our Guildford hospice, Christopher’s, as they explored plans to establish the country’s first children’s hospice. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss everything from hospice design and service delivery to referral pathways, staffing and family support. They took inspiration from the in-house team and lead nurses, and took the opportunity to observe a group music therapy session with the in-house children.

Following their visit, the foundation’s director and co-founder, Claire Chircop, thanked the team for their openness and generosity, describing the experience as ’’incredibly informative and inspiring’’ and saying they “left feeling both informed and motivated”.

Inspiring future care

Shooting Star is also supporting a team behind a new children’s hospice project in Prague. Inspired by the UK hospice model and our approach to combining clinical care, psychosocial support and family-centred services, the team from Czech charity, Vlastovka, reached out to learn more about how we deliver care and support to children and families, with a visit planned later in the year.

These visits reflect the growing international recognition of Shooting Star’s expertise and innovation. By sharing our knowledge, we are helping organisations around the world strengthen family-centred care for children with life-limiting conditions. In return, these partnerships bring fresh perspectives and ideas
that help us continue to learn and improve.

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