Opera in the Colosseum Suite
13 December 2019
Osteoarthritis relief
21 February 2020
Nirvana Spa’s ongoing support of this amazing local charity includes the upkeep of its fantastic hydrotherapy pool
At Nirvana Spa, we support several local charities that make a big difference to the lives of people within the area. Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service is an inspiring venture that provides vital care to local families going through unimaginably difficult times.
Our owner and chairman, John Barley, became a patron of the charity in 2017 and, along with our CEO Sean Barley, they have committed their ongoing support to Alexander Devine. Nirvana Spa’s most recent involvement has involved maintaining the fantastic new swimming pool and hydrotherapy facilities at the hospice.
The pool has held nearly 100 splash sessions since it opened in May 2018. For children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions who are unable to use regular swimming pools, these sessions provide a unique opportunity to experience the joy and fun of water. Especially because whole families can enter the pool together and create happy memories to cherish forever.
“It is such a privilege to be able to give experiences to children who may be limited in what they can access. It is why I especially love doing hydrotherapy and seeing the children so relaxed and happy in the water and be able to move much more freely.”
– Alexander Devine nurse
Making memories is one of the main aims of Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice which provides much-needed respite, palliative and end-of-life care for children and a place of refuge for families on a painful journey. In 2019 alone, the care team at Alexander Devine provided a huge range of essential support to families in Berkshire and the surrounding counties. These included:
- 536 play visits for children and their siblings
- 2,624 hours of care for children and their families in the community
- 223 day care visits
- 14 sibling and family activity days
The Maidenhead-based charity was founded in 2007 by Fiona and John Devine who tragically lost their little boy, Alexander, to a brain tumour when he was just 8 years old. In 2018, the charity opened the doors of their new, state-of-the-art facilities. As well as the swimming pool, the beautiful purpose-built space includes music, art and sensory rooms, a sensory garden, six children’s bedrooms, two self-contained flats for families, dining and living areas, and the Dolphin Suite, which is dedicated to end of life and bereavement care.
“Our story is one that no parent should experience, the loss of Alexander changed us and our world forever but out of the most unimaginable pain has come a gift.”
– Fiona Devine, Co-founder & CEO
As well as working within the hospice itself, the nurses in the Alexander Devine care team spend a huge amount of time with families out in the community. They visit children in their own homes to provide tailored clinical care, offer essential support to parents and to facilitate fun play sessions with the children.
Alexander Devine’s mission is to be able to reach out to every child and family in the area who need them. To find out more about the amazing work done by the charity, please visit: https://alexanderdevine.org/
