Momentum Children's Charity

Momentum Children’s Charity was founded in 2004 by Bianca Effemey and two parents whose children had cancer, because they identified many gaps in support for the emotional and practical needs of the whole family. Today, Momentum partners with 9 local NHS hospitals in SW London, Surrey and Sussex. Families are referred to Momentum following a child’s diagnosis of cancer or another life-challenging condition. Momentum's Family Support Workers work with children, siblings, parents and grandparents to understand their individual needs, offering them personally-tailored support, both in hospital and at home, to help them cope more easily, improve their mental wellbeing, and access practical help and support services. Momentum's support services include: counselling, creative therapies (play, music, art), respite breaks, peer-to-peer support, and special experiences to ease some of the stress and strain that comes with a gruelling treatment plan. If the unthinkable happens, and a child dies, we offer specialist bereavement support.  We also create a more positive experience in hospital for children and their families during their time on the children’s wards, arranging activities, therapies and child-friendly refurbishments.  Annually, Momentum supports around 2,830 seriously ill children, siblings, parents and grandparents from 506 families with a child in treatment and 220 families facing bereavement. Momentum is there, whatever the outcome, for as long as they're needed, so that no family has to cope alone.