Rebecca House is a purpose-built facility providing respite, palliative, and end-of-life care for babies, children, and young people from birth to age 18. We support those living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions on the Isle of Man.
While we provide care during the most difficult times, our environment is designed to be a "home from home." We focus on creating a relaxed, warm, and bright atmosphere where children can play, have fun, and be themselves. It is a place for making precious memories.
As a registered charity, all care provided by Rebecca House and Hospice Isle of Man is free of charge to patients and their families. We rely on community donations and fundraising to ensure this support continues.
Referral to Rebecca House can be made through a professional such as a health visitor, GP, consultant, or community nurse. Once the referral has been received, a member of our staff will call you to arrange an initial assessment to evaluate whether your child meets our criteria. If they do, they will be accepted onto our caseload.
Once on the caseload, we use our resource allocation framework to calculate how many hours of respite you will receive per month. This allocation will be regularly reviewed by your child's named nurse.
The criteria for our caseload can be found here:
Key information about children who may need palliative care
Directory of Life Limiting Conditions - Together for Short Lives
Our opening hours vary each week. Because the majority of the children on our caseload are of school age, we are typically open a few days a week to provide respite for pre-school children. We also open for a few tea-time sessions, most weekends, and some nights during the week. The days and nights that we are open differ, as care is provided on a request basis depending on family needs.
Each child will be allocated a number of hours based on their resource allocation framework assessment. These hours can be used however parents or carers feel will be most useful. We can also provide block care to be booked in advance if parents need a longer period of respite; for example, if they are going away and the child is unable to go with them. For children receiving end-of-life care, we are open 24 hours a day to support the child and their family throughout their stay.
Your child will be cared for by a multidisciplinary team. The current Rebecca House team includes Registered Nurses, Nursery Nurses, and Healthcare Assistants, all specialising in paediatric palliative care.
Yes. Our "Children's Hospice at Home" service provides respite and end-of-life care in your own home if you would prefer. This is delivered by qualified nurses or nursery nurses to suit your family’s specific circumstances.
Yes. We have specialised family accommodation and a family apartment on-site. This allows parents and siblings to stay close by while our team manages the child's clinical needs, providing the family with a chance to rest or spend quality time together.
Around three times a year, we host a special sibling day, which might include a fun sleepover at Rebecca House or an exciting day out. These events give siblings the chance to connect with staff, spend time with other children in similar situations and simply have fun in a safe and supportive environment.
We also hold parents' evenings up to three times a year, often with themed activities, hosted at Rebecca House. These evenings provide parents with a relaxed and welcoming space to unwind, share experiences and connect with other families.
We are committed to supporting young people during their transition from children’s to adult care. This includes attending multidisciplinary care meetings and working with adult services, who may come to Rebecca House to learn more about your child by observing them, interacting with them, and reading through their individualised care plans. Our team also works closely with the family to ensure this journey is as smooth and supportive as possible.
If adult services are in place when your child turns 18, our care will end. If adult care is not yet established, we will carry on with respite as long as there is a transition plan in place. In either circumstance, your child will remain on our caseload until their nineteenth birthday, giving you peace of mind that we can be contacted to help should any issues arise.
We currently have between 40–50 families on our caseload, and we always welcome new referrals.
No, not at all. Some of our children go to local schools and we encourage them to attend if they are staying with us for respite care, provided they are well enough. If they are unable to attend school due to ill health or are in hospital, we can provide outreach care to give families a break if needed.
No, not at all. A lot of people automatically think of cancer or leukaemia; however, the majority of children and young people who attend Rebecca House Children's Hospice do not have a cancer-related illness.
The Rainbow Room is a private, intimate suite available to any family on the Island who has lost a child or young person. It serves as a special place of rest for the child until the day of the funeral, allowing families to stay together and say goodbye in their own time. Our Rainbow Room is available to all families, irrespective of the circumstances of the child or young person’s death.
Yes. Families are encouraged to take a tour of Rebecca House, meet the team, and ask any questions before starting respite or care services. We want you to feel comfortable and confident before your child’s first visit.
Respite availability is based on each family’s needs and our capacity. We work closely with families to plan stays in advance, ensuring equal access and tailored support.
People can support us by donating, fundraising, or spreading awareness. We also welcome corporate partners and community groups who want to help make a difference. For more information, please email fundraising@hospice.org.im
Rebecca House Children’s Hospice is the dedicated children’s hospice service of Hospice Isle of Man, which is a registered Isle of Man charity (charity registration number 317).
We are able to provide transport to and from Rebecca House for respite sessions for some children in certain circumstances; for example, if parents or carers cannot drive. This service is subject to staff availability and having a team member available to drive our minibus, so please let us know in advance if you require assistance with transport.
Yes, the catering staff at Hospice provide meals for the children on our caseload. We can request a hot or cold meal depending on their preference. Our team is also fully trained to administer enteral feeds, though milk for this should be provided by parents or carers.
We provide snacks and happily cater to allergies and specific nutritional needs. However, if your child requires or prefers highly specific foods, you may be asked to provide these for their time with us.
Yes, we regularly go out on trips with the children in our wheelchair-accessible minibus. We love going out for the day and plan outings as often as we can.
For daytime respite sessions, we provide food, syringes for medication, and basic toiletries for bathing or showering.
Parents and carers should provide:
Items for enteral feeds (including milk, giving sets, spare mic-key button, gastrostomy extension, feeding pump, and charger).
Nappies/pads and body creams/emollients.
Spare clothes and baby bottles for feeds.
If your child is staying overnight, please also pack:
A toothbrush and toothpaste.
A hairbrush and pyjamas.
Any comfort items that help them settle (such as teddies, favourite blankets, pillows, a nightlight, or a white noise machine).