HELPING the young people dealing with life-limiting illnesses in the family is the aim of a new set of family Fridays taking place at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

For the next three weeks there will be a variety of fun activities to enable families to experience the hospice environment and care.

Thanks to the last mayor of Oldham, Cllr Shadab Qumer, the Hospice has been able to purchase new play activities including two very smart tee pees, books, colouring equipment and much more.

And now the Day Services team is to open up Fridays (July 27, August 3 and 10) to enable youngsters to come with a family member to visit the Hospice.

Whilst here and enjoying the play and activities, there will be opportunities to talk with professionals around the issues such as palliative care and diagnosis and the impact on family life.

Spiritual care nurse Pauline Brierley said: “Helping families experience the Hospice and the work that is done here helps them to understand what is going on around them. It is often the fear of the unknown and when they are not told what is happening that makes them anxious and unhappy,” said Spiritual Care Nurse Pauline Brierley.

“We plan to have a whole host of activities going on all over the Hospice – out in the gardens as well if the good weather continues.”

Families wishing to attend any of the dates (sessions are 11am-2pm) should book with Pauline on 0161 624 2727. Places will be limited but there will be more sessions coming up throughout the year.