Where it began, Rachel's story
In the autumn of 1981, a neighbour knocked on the door and asked Bernadette if she could help a 12-year-old girl who had come home to die.
Read moreHow Family Support Workers can help
Rainbow Trust Family Support Workers support the whole family including parents, carers, the unwell child, brothers, sisters and grandparents. Support is hugely varied and depends on the needs of the family. Read some of our families stories to find out more about the care we provide.
Stories from the archives
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Zoe’s family, supported in 1990
"Being pregnant, with three other children and a seriously ill child, Rainbow Trust gave us each the support, love and care we needed."
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Anna’s family, supported in 1992
In 1989, four-year-old Anna became unwell and was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Anna’s family was supported by Rainbow Trust in 1992.
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Jo, a sibling supported in the early 1990s
In the early 1990s, when Jo was eight, her sister was diagnosed with cancer. Family Support Workers Tina and Moira supported the family.
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Iris' family, supported in 2008
In 2008, Adam and Kate’s daughter, Iris, became ill at seven months old with a rare tumour on her liver. Family Support Workers Mary and Man
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Sibling Support
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Aqsa's Story
After Aqsa was diagnosed with a bone condition and a huge strain was put on family life, Family Support Worker Wendy began to support.
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Max's Story
"There are adults always coming for Max, but it’s really nice for Eva to have a friend that’s just for her."
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Jaxon's Story
Hayley and Andy are parents to two-year-old Jaxon, and seven-year-old Jessica. In August 2022, Jaxon was diagnosed with liver cancer.
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Edith's Story
Edith's mum, Sarah, got in touch with Rainbow Trust when Edith’s sister, Bea, started having a hard time dealing with her emotions.
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William's Story
William has undergone two kidney transplants: He has one kidney donated from his mother and one from his father.
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Ellis' Story
Family Support Worker Gina supports Ellis and his family after he was diagnosed with a rare condition called Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.
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Tyler's Story
"I’ll always remember coming home from the hospital for the first time without Tyler."
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Jaxson's Story
Jaxson was diagnosed with leukaemia at three-years-old. Family Support Worker Wendy began supporting the family in January 2023.
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Lilia's Story
"Rainbow Trust fully understands our situation. Before they came I was stuck in my house for two years."
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Family Support
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Maya's Story
Katie, mum to twins Ezri and Maya, shares the impact Family Support Worker Wendy’s support has made to her over the past six years.
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Ellis' Story
Family Support Worker Jayne provides stability and crucial support for Chloe and her family, following her son Ellis’ terrifying diagnosis.
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Emily's Story
Remila, Emily’s mum, shares the difference Family Support Worker Abi’s support made to her family as they struggled with Emily’s diagnosis.
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Layla's Story
After Layla’s family were thrown into crisis, Family Support Worker Brodie’s help meant they didn’t have to cope alone.
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Mohammed's Story
Family Support Worker Georgia helps Mohammed's family with the challenges of caring for a seriously ill child.
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Luke's Story
Family Support Worker Monica has helped with Luke’s anxiety and lack of confidence.
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Niamh's story
"When your child's sick, you worry about leaving them, but I've always felt really secure with Family Support Worker Michelle."
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Jaxson's Story
Jaxson was diagnosed with leukaemia at three-years-old. Family Support Worker Wendy began supporting the family in January 2023.
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Emily-Rose's Story
'Natalie is just the best. She just makes me feel like I’ve got a friend who understands. I can’t sing her praises enough.'
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Isabelle's Story
Christina and Duncan are parents to Isabelle, Max, and Jack and have been supported by Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity since October 2020.
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Tommy's Story
'As a parent, you’re living it day-to-day, and having an extra person to advocate for you and back you up, is just the best thing.'
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James' Story
James was born with sepsis and a number of serious and complex needs due to a brain haemorrhage that caused a significant brain injury.
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Finley's Story
'There’s someone there for you to talk to, who’s willing to help and is just really adaptable. Laura understands what it’s like'
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Ethan's Story
'I can talk to Michelle about anything, and Katlyn loves her too. Michelle will come over and spend time with Ethan – it’s such a big help.’
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Zack's Story
"The time Zack spends with Kate helps him to manage and deal with what he is going through."
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Transport Support
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Alexander's Story
Family Support Worker Jaimie is providing emotional support, helping Emma cope with the enormity of her loss.
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Luke's Story
Family Support Worker Monica has helped with Luke’s anxiety and lack of confidence.
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Teddy's Story
Kat tells us of her experience dealing with Teddy’s rare cancer and the support they have had from Family Support Worker Jayne.
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Ellis' Story
Family Support Worker Gina supports Ellis and his family after he was diagnosed with a rare condition called Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.
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Lilia's Story
"Rainbow Trust fully understands our situation. Before they came I was stuck in my house for two years."
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Neonatal Support
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James' Story
James was born with sepsis and a number of serious and complex needs due to a brain haemorrhage that caused a significant brain injury.
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Bereavement Support
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Artem's Story
Dealing with loss and grief far from home: how Family Support Worker Lilia supported Artem’s family when the unthinkable happened.
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Erhun's Story
From practical and emotional to bereavement support: how Family Support Worker Shelly continues to support a family in crisis.
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Alexander's Story
Family Support Worker Jaimie is providing emotional support, helping Emma cope with the enormity of her loss.
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Riley's Story
‘I wanted to walk to where Stanley’s buried, but I didn’t want to go alone. Jo came with me, and we just talked about Stanley.’
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Hospital Support
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Bea's Story
“Monica knows we worry the second we leave Bea, so she keeps us up to date with everything that is going on.”
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Jakob's Story
Jakob, who has an extremely rare illness, ‘rings bell’ after transplant thanks to his six-year-old donor sister.
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Ellis' Story
Family Support Worker Gina supports Ellis and his family after he was diagnosed with a rare condition called Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis.
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Arthur's Story
Family Support Worker Emma has provided stability to the family and helped them cope with Arthur’s cancer diagnosis.
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