It’s been a very busy week in Year 4.
With a big focus on our identity, we began the week discussing and thinking about all the different things that make us who we are.
As well as identity, we thought about the community we live in and how that is a big part of our lives.
On Wednesday, Year 4 spent the morning visiting St Gemma’s Hospice in Moortown.
Who We Are 
“We are a Leeds-based charity providing expert care and support for local people with terminal illnesses. We offer specialist medical and nursing care to thousands of local people each year and offer invaluable support to their families and friends. Opened in 1978, we are the largest hospice in Yorkshire and one of the largest in England.
We provide expert care, support, advice and information for patients and their families, carers and loved ones. We are also a world leader in palliative care research and our Academic Unit provides training and education for professionals. We provide information and support for children and young people when someone in their family is seriously ill or has died.”
This hospice is a big part of our community and lots of us have personal links to it. During our visit, the children learnt how the charity supports some very poorly people and their families.
The St Gemma’s Young People’s Service arranges all kinds of fun activities for children of all ages, to help them cope with their feelings and worries.
These are some of the methods used by the team to help families.
- We meet with children, young people and their families.
- We sometimes do activities such as artwork or an activity book. We also talk about the person who is ill or has died.
- We are used to talking about difficult things and don’t mind if you get upset.
- Sometimes groups of children and young people meet together to talk about how things are.
- If we are working with a child or a young person and they ask a question, we will answer it openly and honestly.
Did you know that St Gemma’s was originally a school? It was run by a group of nuns.
During our visit, the children were able to look around the beautiful, well tendered gardens. These are a great comfort to many and a lovely area to spend time with loved ones.
It is always a very humbling experience visiting St Gemma’s. This was made even more so by the respect, care, patience and behaviour of all of the Year 4 children. It was an absolute pleasure to take them.