Zöe’s Place – A Special Place

Huyton Today reporter Michael Hagan recently interviewed Knowsley Hey caretaker Billy Irving about a local charity near to his heart, Zöe’s Place, the Baby Hospice in Yew Tree Lane, West Derby.

He explained that family member Harry Lee is a volunteer worker at the hospice and he alerted us to the sad fact that this extremely important lifeline for parents with sick babies is funded solely by charitable donations.

Michael and fellow reporters Laura Vaughan and Bradley Maher visited Zöe’s Place to try to understand some of the valuable work that is done there. They were touched by the warm and affectionate atmosphere, and left determined to commence raising funds immediately for this truly remarkable place and its caring, devoted workforce.

Zöe’s Place provides respite for parents of sick babies up the age of four. Expert medical attention and loving care is provided in a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere. Zöe’s gives very sick babies, and their parents, a lot of joy and support. Made all the more remarkable when one considers the lack of public funding.

Manager Anne Johnson told Huyton Today, “Zöe’s Place allows babies with special needs respite care. This can be anything up to two weeks at any one time. Zöe’s also cares for babies for terminal care, giving the babies and their families the dignity they deserve.

Children speak best about other children and their problems, and reporter Michael said, “Zöe’s is a nice place, the staff are very nice too and it has a chapel, a light room, a pool and bedrooms. It is the only baby hospice in the country and all the money they get is donated.”

Bradley said, “Zöe’s Place gives their parents a chance to rest, as looking after a sick baby all the time is a hard job. Unfortunately some of the babies have a short life, but staff at Zöe’s make this time easier for the parents. They have a beautiful room that parents can stay in with their baby.”