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
Support kids like Callum, who lives with Sanfilippo syndrome – a rare form of childhood dementia that has no known cure. Your support can help families like Callum’s access respite care and support, making lasting memories together, while they can.
Footy Finals Fever
Love your footy? Join us for a great day out as we celebrate the greatest teams in the AFL. Footy Finals Fever is a highlight of both football and corporate entertainment calendars and is the perfect environment to engage staff and clients in a fun and generous way.
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very special stories
News & events
Albury and Wodonga parent luncheon
An opportunity to get to know other parents in the Hume region at a relaxed lunch.
Youth Advisory Group take home the win
Celebrating the Youth Advisory Group's 7NEWS Young Achiever Award
Our Space – online bereaved sibling group – May 2025
We invite all 5 to 12 year old bereaved siblings to drop into our zoom session each month.
Callum’s story
Callum lives with Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare form of childhood dementia, with support from Very Special Kids for him and his mum,…
24-Hour Treadmill Challenge
Help keep the treadmills moving for 24 hours to enable us to provide 24-hour care!
A nurse’s 20-year milestone at Very Special Kids
Celebrating Rita's 20 years as a nurse at Very Special Kids
South East Walking Group – Mount Martha
Join for a gentle 45-minute to one-hour long walk, followed by coffee and connection.
Chelsea’s story
Very special mum Danni, reflects on how their family honour her daughter Chelsea's memory.
Online Bereaved Parent Support Group – June 2025
The evening provides an opportunity for parents state-wide, or even interstate, to come together in a virtual space from the comfort of…
The impact of community giving
Members of our community are finding new and creative ways to fundraise for Very Special Kids.
Bereaved Parent Weekend – June 2025
This is a therapeutic weekend for parents to spend time remembering their child, sharing memories, joy and sadness with other parents supported…
A Very Special Ladies Lunch on the Yarra
It was a Very Special Ladies Lunch on Friday 14 March, raising $92,000 for children and families supported by Very Special Kids.
Creating Memories – June 2025
Bereaved parents are invited to attend regular scrapbooking sessions facilitated by coordinator Gerry Silk.
Honouring Sister Margaret’s legacy on International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day, we pay special tribute to our first employee and patron, the late Sister Margaret Noone IBVM AM, who…
Our Space – online bereaved sibling group – June 2025
We invite all 5 to 12 year old bereaved siblings to drop into our zoom session each month.
Remembering our Life Governors
We remember two Very Special Kids Life Governors, David Jones AO OBE KStJ and Glen Bowes AO, who have died in recent…
Malvern sibling day – July 2025
A fun and therapeutic program designed to help siblings connect with other young people supported by Very Special Kids.
A very special bond between sisters
Liz shares how being a part of our Youth Advisory Group has helped channel her grief into meaningful action.
Online Bereaved Parent Support Group – July 2025
The evening provides an opportunity for parents state-wide, or even interstate, to come together in a virtual space from the comfort of…
Emma’s story
Ashley and Brad reflect on how Very Special Kids supports their daughter Emma, and their whole family unit.
Our Space – online bereaved sibling group – July 2025
We invite all 5 to 12 year old bereaved siblings to drop into our zoom session each month.
Heartfelt’s camera project
We are incredibly grateful to the Old Carey Grammarians Association for donating a camera through the Heartfelt Camera Project.
Footy Finals Fever
Join us for a great day out as we celebrate the greatest teams in Australian Rules Football.
Top tips from a superstar fundraiser
Star fundraiser Matt shares his key tips to help anyone shift their fundraising into gear.
