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This page will help you to learn about Butterwick House, what we do, things you will find here and the people you will meet. If you are interested in fundraising for Butterwick House please either contact the Fundraising office on 01642 628930 or visit the Fundraising Section on this site.
Butterwick House is a 'home away from home'. Babies, children, teenagers and their families come to visit, some for the day, many children come for a few days either by themselves or with their families.
While visiting Butterwick House there are lots of fun things to do, games, computers, arts and crafts, the pool. Children can just chill out, perhaps in the multi-sensory room or go on exciting trips out on our specially adapted bus.
The care team comprises of Registered Sick Children's Nurses (RSCNs) nursery nurses, health care assistants and trained volunteers. They are here to make sure our young visitors are well cared for, feel happy, safe, are listened to and have fun.
Each family is assigned keyworkers; these are care team members who would make sure that the time each child spends at Butterwick House is individually tailored to their needs.
Children will meet new friends at Butterwick House. The young people who come here are aged between birth and 19 years and they each have a range of health care needs.
Before coming to visit us, we talk to each childs family, Doctor and care team to make sure that this is the right place for them to come and stay.
Lounge/Playroom
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The lounge is the hub of Butterwick House. It is a large playroom filled with things children and teenagers enjoy such as TV and DVD, computer games, musical instruments, special computers with lots of specific aids and programmes, music system and a bright soft play area.
One of the soft beanbags is vibro coustic which means it can be connected to a sound system. The bag then vibrates tothe beat so you can feel and hear the music through the bean bag! The play room is spacious, busy through the day and relaxing at night.
A great feature in the lounge is the largest dining table you are likely to see. Everyone including the care team sit together during meal times. It’s a fantastic time to chat and relax during your meal.
The lounge also has an activity kitchen where the children and the care team like to bake things like bread, biscu.jpg)
its, cakes and pizzas.
This is our fundraising mascot Bea seen here abseiling from the Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough.
Bea does lots of fun things to encourage local people to raise funds for Butterwick House which is a registered charity.
Hydrotherapy Pool
The hydrotherapy pool’s temperature is set at 36 degrees so it feels like getting into a warm bath. There are two depths of water, the shallow end is approximately 1ft deep and the deep end is approximately 4ft deep. The heat from the pool is relaxing and it can help to ease muscle tightness and general aches and strains. The pool can be set up differently depending on the wishes of the child or young person.
There is a Jacuzzi setting in both sides. There are also jets of water known as Rio that shoot out of the sides of the wall. These make an undercurrent that works against limbs. The benefit of Rio jets is that people in the water are actually being given a physio session without realising it.
The hydrotherapy pool is used for two main reasons; chilling out and having fun. Water fights are normal and there are lots of great toys like water pistols, beach balls, floats, a basket ball game and lots of floating aids.
The hydrotherapy pool can be used by all the family. The pool can be used by families between stays as well as when the child is in the care of the Hospice.
Families wishing to use the pool can do so during the day or early evening and call the care team to make a booking.
Sensory Garden
The Butterwick House garden was completed several years ago by GMTVand B&Q when they performed a makeover for us as part of their ‘Get up and Give’ campaign.
The sensory garden has raised flowerbeds, a barbecue area, a large blackboard to draw on and a wheelchair swing. It is accessible to all and it is large enough for wheelchairs to move around in so children can have fun. It is a relaxing environment that can be enjoyed by the children, their families and the care team.
Multi-Sensory Room
The multi-sensory room is one of the most popular facilities at Butterwick House. The lights can be used to stimulate sensory awareness and also to relax and unwind. The room has:
Multi-sensory therapy can involve sound as well as light so the room is fitted with a music system. To add an extra dimension to the experience aromatherapy oils may be used.
Craft Room
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The craft room is ideal for young people at Butterwick House to express themselves and indulge their creative talents.
The room is decorated with bright colours and the cupboards are stocked with all of the things needed to create pictures, artworks and lots of different crafts.
The children enjoy making things to take home to show their family and friends. The care team help the children to create memory books for their families that are full of the things they have made and pictures of the things they have done or places they have been while staying at Butterwick House.
Bedrooms
There are four children's bedrooms at Butterwick House; each a different colour and they can be adapted to meet the needs of the child or young person. The bedrooms can be personalised to each individual and children can bring their own laptop or favourite pictures and items from home.
We have a variety of beds and cots and facilities for wheelchair users. All the rooms have access to satellite television, video player and a music system. Each bedroom has double doors leading out into the sensory garden.
Family Accommodation
Butterwick House has facilities for parents or carers wishing to stay during the young person’s visit. The facilities at Butterwick House are here for all the family to access as they wish.
There is a flat with two separate bedrooms. The rooms all have portable televisions and plenty of cupboard space.
There is a shared lounge with tea and coffee making facilities, a fridge and television. This lounge overlooks the large playroom downstairs.
Other Helpful Things
Butterwick House provides other helpful services which are freely available to children and their families. These include
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complementary therapies to help with feelings of sleeplessness, stress and discomfort. Several members of the Care Team are trained to administer soothing hand or foot aromatherapy massages.
Our family support team can help you with any questions you have about the future or about practical or spiritual matters. If you would like to know more about any of these services please ask a member of the care team who will put you in touch with the right person.
Butterwick Outings
Butterwick House has a mini bus which is used to transport children and young people on days out and to events such as:
The bus is specially adapted for wheelchair users and has baby seats for the toddlers.
It is accessible either by using the side door or the tail lift at the rear of the vehicle.
Butterwick House Children’s Hospice is part of Butterwick Hospice Care which is a registered charity (No. 1044816)
The Hospice provides specialist pain and symptom control, end of life, respite and day care, complementary therapies, bereavement care and family support to children and their families and carers.
Butterwick House serves the communities of Teesside, County Durham, North Yorkshire and Wearside.
The Charity provides care and support free of charge but depends upon the support of the communities it serves to continue its vital services to patients and their families.
Fundraise for Butterwick House
To find out about how you can support this vital service contact the fundraising office on 01642 628930 or visit the Fundraising section of this site.
If you require any further information about the service please contact:
Head of Care, Butterwick House, Children’s Hospice, Middlefield Road, Stockton on Tees, TS19 8XN Tel: 01642 607748, Fax: 01642 605785 or email alisonappleby@butterwick.org.uk
