GIRFEC Story: Creative engagement at CHAS

Our film takes a look at the creative ways which CHAS engages with their children and young people.

Over the summer, ALLIANCE colleagues were delighted to visit Rachel House, one of the two Hospices run by Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). Our visit was an opportunity to see in action, the different creatives ways in which the staff engage with the children and their families during their visits to the hospice. Donna Nicoll, Activities Coordinator at CHAS spoke of the importance of creating a home from home for families and the time needed to build relationships and get to know the children on an individual level as they are all so wonderfully unique.  It’s evident how the work at CHAS aligns with the principles and values of GIRFEC. The team adopt a truly child-centred approach and put the best interests of the child and the heart of what they do and by working together with families ensure a rights-respecting, strengths-based, inclusive approach.

We were fortunate enough to see musician Rachel, run a fun music session with a young boy who was visiting CHAS for the day. His face lit up as he got to bang the drums and dance along to the guitar. Throughout the week, the activities team host a variety of activities for the young people to enjoy which includes learning makaton, singing and sensory play. All the activities are designed to be inclusive and for children, siblings and their families to enjoy.

Staff highlighted during our conversations how the hospice can be a highly emotive space, but it was clear the joy that the activities team create to ensure the hospice is a safe space where families can spend quality time together and make memories.

Watch our most recent film clip on the ALLIANCE youtube channel.