The Children of Helen house

[amyjade]

BBC2 Tuesdays 10pm.

An insite into life at a childrens hospice.
The programme follows terminally ill children and their families. Also shows how Helen house helps them with life before and after the childs death.
Very moving programme but well worth watching.

Watched this last week. Our vicar was at theological college with Sister Frances Domenica's brother. Apparently he was ill a lot of his childhood and that inspired her to go into paediatric nursing.
Really thought-provoking and moving.

is the the second one as it was on before. it was very interesting.

I watched it. It's nice to see that TV has still a place for caring, intelligent, sensitive, etc etc etc human beings.

How right you are franca70.

Very upsetting to see that poor baby courtney died.

yes, it was really upsetting, and could have felt a bit voyeuristic (sp??) if the programme hadn't been done in such measured tones.

oh no, i meant to watch this, does anyone know if its repeated?

TIA

upsetting a little, but mostly uplifting

I caught a bit of this last week. Thought it very moving. I may be wrong, but i'm sure BBC Scotland did a similar documentary type thing about the Rachel House and Robyn House in Scotland.
In an age where the vast majority of the veiwing public watch cr*p like BB, I'm a celebrity etc, i think this shows tv at it's best. No one on it wanting to up their street cred, or get famous, just parents allowing us a chance to see how these wonderful facilites operate, and the support and care the children and their parents get

Did anyone see last night's programme? This is such a beautifully, sensitively made documentary, everyone involved should be so proud of their contributions. I don't think I'll ever forget the Scarlet family and baby Courtney.

I cried , again - it was so touching, sad but positive. Although a friend of dh's worked there many years ago I had no idea of the extent of what they do.

I did not realise how much support is given to families after a child dies either Lizs.
Fundraising for a local branch of Demelza House, the Kent children's hospice, is big news local to me and it is such a terrific cause.
And to think that two babies' lives were saved by that family's selflessness

It's a Religion & Ethics programme which will explain why it sounds so nicely done.

I haven't seen it at all yet but there is a repeat of episode 2 (?) on BBC1 at 1.25am Fri 26 Jan. (Check here for future repeats.)

Helen and Douglas House have a lovely website

Agree with franca, what a contrast to the ghastly goings-on on Big Brother et al.
So moved by the staff there. They were about to go home but stayed on to make a top with the bereaved sister of Courtney

I watched the last half an hour as forgot it was on. A terribly sad programme - but what wonderful and caring people work there. It is the sort of prog I would normally avoid as would always get really upset but was flicking and watched it for about a minute and was hooked.

That was just one of the little acts of goodness wasn't it happystory She was a smashing little girl.
Also loved the squeak of utter delight from Chelsea when she met Father Christmas

marina, you're right the scarlets were inspiring, unselfish people and those images of them cuddling courtney's body will stay with me for a long, long time. it was so sad to see them at home, totally lost (she in keeping busy, he just looked bewildered, poor man) and being terribly brave

I used to live just over the road from Helen House so have been aware of it for about 20yrs+ but still had no idea how much they do for families. So dedicated and caring.

What amazing people Courtney's family are too. I cried last night and last week watching this.