The dedicated space opened earlier this month reports Sophie Mitchell

A man and a woman standing outside a cabin — Anand and Savita Patel outside the Lounge – (Credit – Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice)

A children’s hospice opened a new space for young people last month.

The Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in High Barnet officially opened The Lounge, a dedicated space for children in their care 13 and up, on 13th june.

The new building named The Lounge was built with input from young people at the hospice to give older children a space separate from the main facilities. At the inaugural prom on June 1st, the teenagers were able to see the space for the first time, where a TV, gaming consoles, books and board games are all on offer.

The Lounge forms part of the hospice’s Transition Service that mentors young people in preparation for adult palliative care. The Transition Service works with teenagers from age 14, teaching skills in budgeting and preparing plans with families for their children’s future.

Funding for the project has come from the MariaMarina Foundation, the 2023 Winter Ball Committee, a group of philanthropists who have organised the Winter Ball fundraising event since 2020 and the Patel Family.

Anand and Savita Patel were supported by Noah’s Ark starting in 2022, when their daughter Kinnari was at the hospice. Sadly, Kinnari died at the age of 12. Her parents have funded The Lounge in her memory, decorated with the aim of capturing her personality and passions in a place that other children at the hospice can enjoy long into the future.

CEO of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, Sophie Andrews OBE, said: “We are extremely grateful to our partners, MariaMarina Foundation and The Winter Ball Committee for funding this much-needed addition to The Ark. A very special thank-you to the Patel family for their generous donation to honour the memory of their daughter, Kinnari.”

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