Opening our doors at Shooting Star House
On Friday 13 June, we welcomed supporters through the doors of Shooting Star House in Hampton for our annual Open Day. The event offered a unique opportunity to explore our Hampton site and see first-hand the difference our support makes to families.
Throughout the day, guests were invited to take a self-guided tour, discovering key spaces including the hydrotherapy pool, sensory room, music therapy and counselling rooms, and the memory garden, a peaceful space used for families to reflect.
A highlight of the day was the live demonstrations delivered by the hospice’s Family Support team, which focused on memory-making activities such as creating hand casts. These moving sessions offered a powerful glimpse into the bespoke emotional and therapeutic support provided to families, helping them create lasting keepsakes and cherished moments during the most difficult of times.
After exploring, guests gathered in the garden to enjoy refreshments, browse interactive stalls and chat with the Fundraising, Volunteering and Retail teams to find out more about how to get involved. There were also garden games, sweet treats including candy floss, and the chance to meet one of our friendly volunteer therapy dogs.
Megan Matthews, our Supporter Care Coordinator, who coordinated the event, said: “We were absolutely delighted to welcome so many of our supporters to Shooting Star House. It is not always easy to describe what a children’s hospice is really like, so having the chance to invite people in, show them around, and explain how their support helps us provide such vital care was incredibly special. From exploring the hospice to enjoying time in the garden, the day was a true celebration of the compassion, care, and community that define Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.”
Guests shared how much they enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the work of Shooting Star and meet the people behind the care. Many commented on the warm and welcoming atmosphere, the meaningful demonstrations, and how moving it was to see the impact of their support in action.
Feedback from attendees included:
“I enjoyed seeing what the organisation offers- it’s an important part of the community.”
“It was very informative and everyone was very kind!”
“Very well organised and a beautiful place.”
Shooting Star would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended the Open Day. Our Open Day gave a glimpse into the incredible care and support made possible by people like you. But the need doesn’t stop there. With your help, we can continue to provide the vital care needed for families who have a baby, child or young person with a life-limiting condition, or who have been bereaved. Please consider making a donation.
