Talking transition
Two amazing young adults, Aiden and Sophie, who are supported by Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, embarked on a trip to Glasgow in autumn 2022, to attend the Hospice UK conference. They were invited to talk about their next big journey, as they’ll soon be transitioning out of our care into adult services.
Our transition team help support young adults and their families to navigate this change and held a special Transition Week last year at the hospice. Sophie and Aiden’s presentation showcased some of the amazing activities they took part in during the week at Christopher’s, while also sharing their experiences and the many obstacles they face as teenagers with disabilities. Attended by an audience of over 100, including some of our care team, they received a much-deserved standing ovation.
With the help of another supported young person who is currently at university studying film and TV production, Aiden and Sophie produced a Q&A video of them talking about what it is like to be a young person with a life-limiting condition and disabilities transitioning into adult services. They also interviewed the parent of a young lady who has gone through the transition process, exploring the issues faced by the parents of young people with severe disabilities, the lack of facilities and the role of the parent during this time.
Following a debrief of the trip, our care team would like to keep raising awareness about the struggles that young adults and parents can experience, especially without the right support. The transition process can be overwhelming and the change in support received can be very different from a children’s hospice to adult hospice services.
You can read more about the young adults transition week here, and if you would like to support the quality care young people receive at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices then donate today.
