Having a sibling with a serious or life-limiting condition can bring a range of confusing and conflicting emotions; worry, concern, fear, guilt, denial, jealousy and anxiety are all emotions that we see and it is vital they have the chance to express and deal with their feelings.

Spending time with other children in similar situations can be incredibly beneficial. Taking part in group activities or individual therapy sessions, or just having fun with their peers, can help them process and manage their emotions.

Our sibling support service is targeted to age groups, and includes a variety of fun and engaging activities as well as therapeutic and emotional support.

We offer a mix of one-to-one and group sessions which allow siblings to receive the care and attention they need, as well as build a community of friends.

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Curtis and Olivia

“When Curtis stays at Demelza it gives me a break and he loves it there. It means we can have time together as a couple and that we get to spend time with our daughter Olivia, who is eight.

“Olivia has gone along to the sibling support group which Demelza runs and it was lovely that she made a friend there.

“Demelza provides us with the extra support we need as a family. I’m so glad it’s there.” - Mum, Jessica

Curtis is sitting, surrounded by his mum, dad and little sister.

Jacob

"The amount of support that Demelza has given to me is phenomenal and I believe that without it, I wouldn’t have been able to remain positive in the many difficult situations I have found myself in. The monthly sibling days were a great way to connect with people like me, who had similar if not the same problems at home, and I found that I made friends with some of them too.

"However, I do not know how I could possibly begin to repay for their incredible shows of kindness and support over the trials of the past four years. They did one–on–one sessions with me in school, where I could talk freely, let out things I have kept in, relax and be myself... Demelza have helped me so much throughout the process, and I don’t know where I’d be without them."

Demelza sibling, Jacob is smiling, wearing his school uniform.

Oliver

“Having a sibling with serious health and physical needs is very difficult; there is very little freedom to do what lots of other families do and as parents we tend to have to give lots more time to Isabella’s needs. Her seizures can literally occur at any time and will put a stop to any plans we may have made therefore causing huge disappointment to our other children.

“Seeing Oliver enjoying a trip of a lifetime with Demelza at Kingswood with no interruptions and no disappointment was so lovely; he really enjoyed himself and he said it was nice to meet other children that could really understand what it’s like living in a family like ours. He actually said it made him feel really lucky!

“It’s just another amazing thing that Demelza do for families that make things better.”

Nicola, mum to Oliver, Isabella and Emily