"Zest X-Change has provided me with the opportunity to build my independence and enjoy life in such a caring and friendly environment amongst other young people"
Young adult patient
"Transitioning from children’s care to young person’s care has been very smooth and pitched at the right level to reassure me as a parent that the same level of care is provided"
Parent of young adult patient
"Getting such positive feedback from the parents - they put their trust in us to look after their children and to know that we have created this service for them is wonderful"
Staff member
"I think it has opened him up to a new world"
Parent of young adult patient
"I’m able to be mum to my other children who unintentionally take a backseat too often"
Parent of young adult patient
"It's brilliant"
Young adult patient
Our ambition with Zest is to:
- Support a lasting programme for young adults with incurable illness in East Anglia
- Help the young adults themselves unlock their own ambitions and aspirations
- Build a sustainable Zest nursing service to unlock our ability to care for young adults with the most complex needs – a unique service in East Anglia
- Expand our programme of activities for the young adults by having the funds to organise fun days out, so they can enjoy themselves in a safe and sociable way
- Continue being the front runner in putting proper care and support in place for young people who are no longer eligible for children’s hospice services
Zest's current impact
We currently offer:
- Short breaks - for 2-3 young adults, for 2 nights, offering 4 weekends a year per adult
- Zest Days - dedicated nurse-led specialist day service provision for those 18+, Fridays 10am-4pm
- Zest X-Change - monthly evening social group for patients which may be the only social interaction they can safely access without parents or caregivers
- Regular clinical reviews - access to the hospice multi-disciplinary team
- A parent support group - a lifeline for families to share their experiences
- Monthly Saturday whole family drop in session - as we know that everyone needs support
- Transition coordination support - as they move from children’s hospice care to adult services
Find out more about the success of our Zest services in the below service evaluation reports carried out by the University of Suffolk and Helen Finlinson - Head of Inclusion and Development at St Elizabeth Hospice and Zest.
Read the reports here:
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How can you help Zest?
A look back at the Ed Sheeran: Made in Suffolk Legacy Auction:
