Our Vision

All families of children with life-threatening conditions are able to access quality services that meet their needs.

Our Purpose

Very Special Kids supports families throughout their experience of caring for children with life-threatening conditions, from diagnosis through to recovery or bereavement.

Our Values

The Board, staff and volunteers of Very Special Kids value: Respect by recognising the individual, welcoming diversity and nurturing choice Collaboration by building connections, strengthening relationships and partnering Community by creating supportive relationships and a sense of belonging Compassion by being welcoming and showing warmth, hope and empathy Learning by enhancing and sharing our skills, experiences, knowledge and wisdom Integrity by acting ethically, honestly, fairly and with accountability

Very Special Kids is a children’s charity that helps more than 900 families across Victoria who have a child with a life-threatening condition with ongoing support from diagnosis all the way through to bereavement. Sadly, almost all of the children we care for will not reach adulthood.

The free-of-charge family support services include counselling, advocacy, sibling support, bereavement support, networking and peer activities, trained family volunteers and specialist care at Very Special Kids Hospice.

Very Special Kids Hospice is the only children’s hospice in Victoria and we offer families access to planned and emergency respite, as well as end-of-life care. The hospice provides 24-hour medical and nursing care in a warm and welcoming environment.

However, we can’t care for these children and families all on our own. It costs more than $7 million each year to operate Very Special Kids and we rely substantially on the generous support of the community to provide our services. Your contribution is vital to the success of Very Special Kids.

There are about 2,000 Victorian families who would qualify for the services that we offer – meaning that there is significant unmet need. Very Special Kids is committed to providing our services to more families across Victoria and increasing our levels of nursing staff to allow more children to receive care at our children’s hospice.

With your help, Very Special Kids will be able to support more families in need across Victoria through offices in Malvern, Brunswick, Ballarat, Hastings, Shepparton, Torquay, Traralgon and Warrnambool.

There are many ways that you can make a difference so that Very Special Kids can continue to support families free-of-charge.

• Make a regular tax deductible gift monthly, quarterly or yearly
• Organise your own fundraising event with family and friends such as a fun run, trivia night, food and wine function, movie night or concert
• Ask for donations in lieu of gifts for your birthday, wedding, bar/bat mitzvah or any other celebration
• Collect donations in a piggy bank at your work, school or home

Please donate today to help Very Special Kids continuing caring for children with life-threatening conditions.