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Holistic palliative care for children and young people

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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.

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Three 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.

 

Fundraise

 

Fundraising is a great way to support Very Special Kids and help us provide essential services and support to families of children with life-limiting illnesses. Whether you are an individual, a community group, or a business, there are many ways you can get involved and make a difference.

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very special stories

News & events

Event

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…

News

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.

Event

South East Walking Group

Join for a gentle 45-minute to one-hour long walk, followed by a complimentary coffee.

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Meet Dr Katie Moore

Dr Katie Moore, the chief medical officer at Very Special Kids, shares some background on her medical career and training.

Event

Creating Memories

Bereaved parents are invited to attend regular scrapbooking sessions facilitated by coordinator Gerry Silk.

News

Something very special is coming!

Join us on Tuesday 10 September for A Very Special Day.

Event

Northern coffee morning

Join us and meet other Very Special Kids families for a morning of conversation and coffee.

News

Remembering Ted

In memory of Ted, bereaved father Antony shares his journey with Very Special Kids.

Event

Wodonga parent luncheon

An opportunity to get to know other parents in the Hume region at a relaxed lunch.  

News

Tae Yoon’s story

Seol reflects on her family's time in our Balam Balam suite, following the death of her son Tae Yoon.

Event

Walk to Remember

An opportunity for families to come together to remember and celebrate their child's life.

News

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.

Event

Our Space – online bereaved sibling group

We invite all 5 to 12 year old bereaved siblings to drop into our zoom session each month.

News

All about our magic carpet

Very Special Kids' Mobile Magic Carpet sparks joy, imagination and movement for children of all ages and varied abilities.

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Western Port Model Aircraft Club family day

Join us at Westernport Model Aircraft Club at their picturesque flying field for a day of fun!

News

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…

Event

End-of-year family day

Join our annual End-of-year family day for an afternoon of fun and festive activities.

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Notes of appreciation for our volunteers

Celebrating our very special volunteers as part of National Volunteer Week!

Event

Piggy Bank Appeal

Join us in celebrating the Piggy Bank Appeal on Thursday 28 November!

News

‘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…

Event

Our Space – online bereaved sibling group

We invite all 5 to 12 year old bereaved siblings to drop into our zoom session each month.

News

Marley’s story

Meet eight-year-old Marley, a regular guest at Very Special Kids House.

Event

Officer open day

Visit our new space in Officer for a very special open day.

News

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.