Holistic palliative care for children and young people
What are you looking for?
- A family/individual who needs help
- Looking to donate
- Looking to volunteer
- Looking to support Very Special Kids
- Looking for a career opportunity
- A media professional
- A healthcare professional
- Understand what Very Special Kids does
- Learn about counselling & emotional support services
- Learn about support for siblings
- Learn about our hospice and accommodation
- Get in touch with Very Special Kids
- Donate
- Donate monthly
- Learn how donations are used
- Volunteer
- Make a donation
- Fundraise for Very Special Kids
- Explore a corporate partnership
- Attend an event
- Get in touch with Very Special Kids
- Leave a gift in my Will
- Understand more about the organisation
- Find a job at Very Special Kids
- Get some information for a story
- Understand what Very Special Kids does
- Make a referral to Very Special Kids
- Get in touch with Very Special Kids
About us
Very Special Kids provides holistic palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions as well as tailored support for their families – through life, death and bereavement. We support families across Victoria at Very Special Kids House, home to the state’s only children’s hospice.
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Counselling
We provide counselling and emotional support for each family member to help them through their journey with a life-limiting childhood illness.
At Very Special Kids we have a highly skilled team of professionals including social workers, psychologists, psychotherapists, family therapists and play therapists to provide tailored support.
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Clinical support
Our hospice at Very Special Kids House offers children and young people respite in a home away from home, surrounded by the very best care from our doctors, nurses, carers and trained volunteers. And if the time comes, we provide palliative care at the end of a child’s life to make their last days as special and comfortable as can be.
Learn moreThree ways you can help Very Special Kids
Donate
Your support can make a difference in the lives of children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Every donation to Very Special Kids helps us provide essential support services, including counselling, clinical care and respite care, to families in need.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. At Very Special Kids, we rely on the support of our dedicated volunteers to help us provide essential services and support to families in need.
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very special stories
News & events
Online Bereaved Parent Support Group
The evening provides an opportunity for parents state-wide, or even interstate, to come together in a virtual space from the comfort of…
Alfie’s story
Tim and Kristiarne share how Very Special Kids helps their family, after three-year-old Alfie was born with global brain damage.
South East Walking Group
Join for a gentle 45-minute to one-hour long walk, followed by a complimentary coffee.
Meet Dr Katie Moore
Dr Katie Moore, the chief medical officer at Very Special Kids, shares some background on her medical career and training.
Creating Memories
Bereaved parents are invited to attend regular scrapbooking sessions facilitated by coordinator Gerry Silk.
Something very special is coming!
Join us on Tuesday 10 September for A Very Special Day.
Northern coffee morning
Join us and meet other Very Special Kids families for a morning of conversation and coffee.
Remembering Ted
In memory of Ted, bereaved father Antony shares his journey with Very Special Kids.
Wodonga parent luncheon
An opportunity to get to know other parents in the Hume region at a relaxed lunch.
Tae Yoon’s story
Seol reflects on her family's time in our Balam Balam suite, following the death of her son Tae Yoon.
Walk to Remember
An opportunity for families to come together to remember and celebrate their child's life.
We’ve got a ‘Footy Fever’
This year's Footy Fever lunch celebrated the greatest football rivalry in over 100 years of AFL/VFL history, Carlton v Collingwood.
Our Space – online bereaved sibling group
We invite all 5 to 12 year old bereaved siblings to drop into our zoom session each month.
All about our magic carpet
Very Special Kids' Mobile Magic Carpet sparks joy, imagination and movement for children of all ages and varied abilities.
Western Port Model Aircraft Club family day
Join us at Westernport Model Aircraft Club at their picturesque flying field for a day of fun!
Stepping up to the treadmill for 24-hour care
On Friday 24 to Saturday 25 May, our very special community stepped up to the treadmills to take on 24 hours of…
End-of-year family day
Join our annual End-of-year family day for an afternoon of fun and festive activities.
Notes of appreciation for our volunteers
Celebrating our very special volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week!
Piggy Bank Appeal
Join us in celebrating the Piggy Bank Appeal on Thursday 28 November!
‘It’s not all sadness’: How to cope when a child enters palliative care
Two very special mums, Mel and Kat, share their experience with paediatric palliative care and how Very Special Kids supports them and…
Our Space – online bereaved sibling group
We invite all 5 to 12 year old bereaved siblings to drop into our zoom session each month.
Marley’s story
Meet eight-year-old Marley, a regular guest at Very Special Kids House.
Officer open day
Visit our new space in Officer for a very special open day.
Cara takes on the 24-Hour Treadmill Challenge
Meet nine-year-old Cara, who is taking on the 24-Hour Treadmill Challenge for the fifth year, raising funds for sick children.