Wirral mum shares how Claire House helped her family create precious memories with baby daughter

A Wirral mum has shared how Claire House Children’s Hospice helped her family make precious memories with her baby daughter.

Jess Maddock said the Merseyside hospice was there “within the hour”, supporting them through their darkest days and continuing to help the family years later.

Here, during Dying Matters Awareness Week 2026, she shares her story.

Mum Jess explained:

“We welcomed our beautiful twins, Rose and Cora in 2019. The girls were being supported by Arrowe Park, when very suddenly Cora became very unwell”.

“She was transferred to Alder Hey, where we were told things weren’t looking good. Heartbreakingly we had to let her go.

“We then had to return to Arrowe Park, where Rose was still being cared for. One of the nurses gently asked, ‘Have you been told Claire House Children’s Hospice can support you?’

“Being from the Wirral, everyone knows Claire House. We certainly did – but we saw it as a hospice, not somewhere that could support families after a child dies. We’d never lost a baby before, and we had no idea what to do next.”

Claire House, which has a full hospice in Bebington, and a Liverpool site in West Derby, supports seriously and terminally ill babies, children and young adults.

By providing specialist nursing and end-of-life care, as well as emotional support, Claire House helps families through some of the toughest times of their lives.

Says Jess:

“Within the hour, Claire House was with us at the hospital. They lovingly collected Cora from Alder Hey so she could be with us. We didn’t have to make an appointment to see her, and it was amazing to have that time together.

“In the days that followed, Cora rested in the Butterfly Suite at Claire House, which is the most amazing place. The room was decorated for her, with everything girly and princess-like and lullabies playing in the background.

“My husband Ashley and I were supported to make memories: her first lock of hair, her handprints…all the precious things parents usually do in their own time at home after having a newborn. We could never have imagined not having the time to do those things, but Claire House made sure we did.

“We got to put her in a pram and take her for a walk around the grounds. It’s only years later you realise we never would have done that otherwise. When your head is all over the place, they gently make sure you don’t miss those moments.”

For Ashley, 45, Claire House was a sanctuary, a place to sit with Cora, with a cup of coffee and some toast, while Jess visited Rose in Arrowe Park.

“We could move between the hospital and the Butterfly Suite, spending time with both our girls”, shares Jess, 45, from Wallasey. “Using a cold cot meant Cora could also be at home – somewhere she’d only ever been inside my tummy.

“It was that support, and us caring for Rose, that was our light in those darkest days. Without Claire House, we wouldn’t have the memories we now treasure.

“Rose is now six and embodies everything Cora left behind – she’s so funny and certainly keeps us on our toes!

“Cora was tiny, just 1lb 9oz and half the size of her sister. But she was feisty! We called her ‘little legs’ because her legs were always on the go. I often wonder how different she’d have been to Rose, or if they’d have been two peas in a pod.”

After Cora was diagnosed with NEC, a serious bowel condition that affects premature babies, the family had to say goodbye in January 2020.

“We’d be in a very different place without Claire House,” says Jess.

“Still to this day, we’re supported. We get involved in social events for bereaved parents, from a bottomless brunch and karaoke session to their version of The Traitors, there’s always something going on.

“Claire House has been there with whatever we’ve needed – from counselling to complimentary therapies, which has made a massive difference. For me, [I love the sound baths a relaxation session using calming sound and vibration] and Ashley plays football with the dads.

“Our eldest daughter Daisy, now 18, was 12 at the time, and just weeks after losing Cora, we were plunged into lockdown with none of the usual family support around us. Claire House moved everything online so we could still get help, and we benefitted so much.

“We will forever be indebted to every person who supports this charity. It was a very dark time, but we only have fond memories of everything that was done for us and how they still support us today.”