Momentum Children’s Charity marks 2 years at Worthing Hospital

Eleven-year-old Henly Kinsman, from Lancing, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in June 2020, when he was just eight years old.

Henly had most of his treatment at Worthing Hospital and he and his family started receiving support from Momentum Children’s Charity just over a year ago.

The charity is marking two years since it started working in partnership with Worthing Hospital to support families who have a child receiving treatment for cancer or another life-challenging condition.

Lisa and Dean Bonner, Henly, Orla and Layla (Image: Submitted)

Henly’s mum, Lisa Bonner, said: “Having support from Momentum at hospital and at home has been great. Tina, our family support worker, is always checking in on us and sending little gifts.

“The nurses in the hospital are great but they are so busy, they can’t always spend much time with you, and that is where Momentum has really helped us.

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“It’s reassuring to see a familiar face when you’re at the hospital and knowing that Momentum is there has helped me get through many tough days. The team at Worthing Hospital is amazing with Henly and thanks to them and the support from Momentum, he enjoys going to his appointments.”

Since the partnership with Worthing Hospital started in January 2022, more than 400 hours of support has been given to families on the children’s ward. Other services Momentum has delivered to families in West Sussex over the last two years include counselling, creative therapies, special experiences and respite breaks.

Jane Boxall and Tina Murden (Image: Submitted)

Jane Boxall, ward administrator for Worthing Hospital’s children’s ward said: “Tina, the family support worker from Momentum, has an amazing rapport with patients and parents and has become a great support for some of them who have really been struggling. Many of our families have had a respite weekend at one of Momentum’s lodges, a break some have never had since their children have been born. 

“Momentum has also arranged counselling sessions for some families which has been a god send for a couple of parents who were at the end of their tether.”

Tina Murden, family support worker at Momentum Children’s Charity said: “I feel very privileged to be able to support families in this way - having a child who is very unwell is probably the hardest thing a parent could go through.”