Community

Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, Middlesbrough

Here at Teesside Park all of the management team, our operation partners (ABM), and the staff and teams of all of our retail partners are proud to support the work of Zoe’s Place; which we do across the year through a range of fundraising initiatives, and traditionally as our annual Christmas Charity Partner.

Our Community Giving Box

This year we’re also thrilled to be inviting the community to support our fundraising through our Giant Community Giving Box.  You’ll find it located in our customer service suite, next door to Hays and Sports Direct.  We’d love for you to consider making a quick contactless donation of £3, £5 or £10 by tapping the collection device on The Giving Box.  It’s got a special way of thanking you too.

Zoё’s Place Trust is a Registered Charity providing palliative, respite, and end of life care to babies and infants aged from birth to five years suffering from life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.  Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice was founded in 1995 after Chairman of Trustees, Professor Jack Scarisbrick, identified that families with children suffering from life-limiting or life-threatening conditions were desperately in need of specialist facilities, especially during their early years. In response, Zoë’s Place– the UK’s only baby-specific hospice – was born.

Each of their dedicated hospices in Coventry, Liverpool and our local Middlesbrough hospice provide a caring, safe and home-away-from-home environment for all.

Zoë’s Place has had a difficult time this year, as services have been cut. A position no charity wants to be in. However, together our support will allow them to continue to provide vital care and support to families across the nation.

Read Charlie’s inspiring story, and more at Zoe’s Place dedicated web page 

Charlie is 3 years old. He attends the hospice two nights per week.

Charlie was born with congenital heart disease. He had bilateral cerebral infarctions whilst in hospital and he has developmental delays.  He needs to be fed through his gastrostomy tube. He has postural scoliosis and needs to have daily physiotherapy to help with his muscle tone and to help him move positions.

Charlie enjoys sensory play with music and feeling different textures. He loves ‘tummy time’ laying across a wedge and listening to music. He loves cuddles and being talked to during the day.

We encourage Charlie to spend time sitting in his special chair with toys and different textures placed in front of him.

This is what Charlie’s mum told us when she was asked ‘What does Zoë’s Place give to you’?…..….

“It gives us a chance to have some normality as Charlie has so many special needs most of our time is spent caring for him. It allows us to catch up on well-needed sleep and to enjoy time together with other family members.

We know that Zoë’s Place has helped Charlie with his developmental progress and we feel confident that the team provides Charlie with lots of wonderful care and attention.

Zoë’s Place embraces my whole family and cares for us in lots of ways. We enjoy attending the parent’s group and the support we get from all the team.”

Last updated Thursday 31 August, 2023