The children at Emily's House recently put their creativity to work for a very special reason – thanking the local health professionals who make such a positive difference to their lives every day.
Using their fingers to decorate and design each mug, the children enjoyed taking part in the activity, creating a unique gift for the health teams who play such an important role in their lives.
For Victoria and the team, creating the mugs was an opportunity to recognise the valued role health professionals play in supporting both the children and staff at Emily's House.
"The teams have been incredibly responsive and supportive, particularly when new young people have moved into the home. They have provided training, guidance and practical support to help ensure children can transition safely and receive the care they need. We wanted to thank them for their support and the child-focused approach they bring to everything they do."
Emily's House works closely with a range of community health professionals, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists and specialist nurses, who provide ongoing guidance to ensure young people receive the best possible care and support.
Victoria described the relationship as a strong and positive partnership, built on trust, shared expertise and a mutual commitment to achieving the best outcomes for the children.
"We have a good, strong working relationship with the community teams who support us at Emily's House. They understand the needs of our children and are always there to offer advice, guidance and support when it's needed."
One recent example demonstrates the difference this partnership can make when supporting children with complex needs. When a new young person moved into the home from another region, staff were informed that his specialist sling could not be transferred with him. Recognising the potential safety risks, Victoria contacted Occupational Therapist Mike for support.
Mike attended the young person's next transition visit, carried out an assessment and, within just an hour, returned with the appropriate slings needed to ensure safe transfers.
"Mike visited during the young person's transition and completed an assessment. He then went to the stores and returned with the slings required to ensure the young person could be transferred safely."
Health professionals regularly attend team meetings, provide specialist advice and deliver training on areas such as physiotherapy, postural management and chest physiotherapy. This ongoing support helps staff feel confident when meeting the complex needs of the children they support.
The impact of this joined-up approach can be seen in how quickly and effectively support is put in place for children. Whether providing specialist equipment, delivering training or advocating for a young person's health needs, the community teams work alongside Emily's House to ensure children receive the right support at the right time.
Victoria highlighted another example involving a young person who required chest physiotherapy support. When the need was identified, physiotherapist Lauren rearranged her diary to provide guidance and training, helping the young person transition safely into the home.
"Lauren was able to clear entries in her diary when it became apparent the young person would need chest physiotherapy. This support ensured he could transition in safely."
These are just a few examples of the dedication and collaborative approach shown by the local health teams, whose expertise, flexibility and responsiveness make a real difference to the children and staff at Emily's House every day.
The community health teams are a familiar and important part of the children's lives, regularly supporting them and advocating for their health needs. Creating the personalised mugs gave the children an opportunity to show their appreciation in a meaningful and creative way.
The mugs and accompanying thank you message were warmly received by the local health teams, who expressed their gratitude and shared positive feedback about the home.
"They were very grateful and shared some lovely feedback about Emily's House and the work the team does to support the children."
For Victoria, taking the time to recognise the contribution of these professionals was incredibly important.
"I feel very lucky as a manager to have such a strong support network around myself, the team and the children. The health professionals we work alongside are incredibly dedicated and their support is invaluable. I wanted them to know how much we appreciate them, that their work is valued, and that the difference they make does not go unnoticed." The mugs were a small gesture with a big message — thank you. They recognised the dedication, compassion and expertise of the professionals who help children at Emily's House thrive every day.
