{
  "abstract": "Background Children and young people are increasingly receiving palliative or end-of-life (EOL) care. This is often overwhelming for both the individual and their families. Many of these young patients express final wishes and a desire to spend time with loved ones. Facilitating memory-making experiences can offer emotional relief, help families cope with anticipatory grief (Clarke, Connolly. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2022;39(7):798-805), ensuring the child is remembered in a special way (Foster, Gilmer, Davies, et al. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2009;26(6):369-76).Aim This initiative aims to offer meaningful memory-making opportunities for children and young people with palliative or end-of-life prognoses. At the same time providing holistic support to families by facilitating early referrals to relevant psychosocial, spiritual, and bereavement services. This not only enriches the quality of the child’s remaining life but also strengthens the family’s ability to cope and grieve (Benkel, Skoglund, Enstedt, et al. Palliat Care Soc Pract. 2024 Sep 8;18:26323524241275699; Tan, Docherty, Barfield, et al. J Palliat Med. 2012;15(5):579-84).Method A dedicated role was established to deliver timely, personalised experiences. Referrals are accepted from services including the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Intensive Care Unit. Activities are tailored to each child’s and family’s preferences and may include pottery, canvas art, or visits to special places such as the beach or Chester Zoo.Results In the first 12 months 10 end-of-life memory sessions were completed, five family sessions for terminal patients were conducted and three wishes were fulfilled. Feedback from families indicates that memory-making supported their emotional needs, provided lasting keepsakes and helped validate their grief journey. These activities offered moments of joy and helped maintain a sense of connection during and after the child’s life.Conclusion This project demonstrates the impact of structured memory-making in palliative care. By focusing on creativity, compassion, and connection, it enables families to create cherished memories and supports them through the emotional challenges of end-of-life care. The overwhelmingly positive feedback highlights the value of integrating such initiatives into holistic care pathways.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Claire House Children’s Hospice, Wirral, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Sophie Jenkins"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P-106 Memory-making in palliative and end-of-life care: supporting families through creative, lasting experiences",
  "uid": "f87edf7a-0fa9-52b8-a4cd-61f21c181c0a"
}