Parents of children who unexpectedly stay in our hospitals can now benefit from care packs containing thoughtful everyday essentials, thanks to a partnership between University Hospitals Sussex, Stericycle and Sophie’s Legacy.
When a child is admitted to hospital unexpectedly, parents often arrive with little more than the essentials for their child, unprepared for an overnight stay themselves. Through the work of Sophie’s Legacy, these parent packs have been designed to provide practical support and comfort during what can be an incredibly difficult time.
Each pack contains useful items such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, shower gel, a hairbrush, ear plugs and a phone charger. Separate packs for men and women help ensure every parent feels considered and cared for while staying alongside their child.
As part of the Trust’s contract with Stericycle, which provides waste management services across our hospitals, there is a commitment to delivering social value within the communities we serve. Stericycle actively seeks opportunities to support charities and organisations that align with our values and make a positive difference to patients and local communities.
Together, the partnership identified Sophie’s Legacy as a charity whose work closely aligns with this goal. Founded to improve the experience of children and families in hospital, the charity is committed to supporting parents who find themselves unexpectedly staying with their child during treatment and care.
To bring the initiative to life, colleagues from Stericycle and University Hospitals Sussex came together at a dedicated pack assembly event. Supported through Stericycle’s Social Value Fund, the event enabled staff from both organisations to play a hands-on role in creating something that will directly benefit families across our hospitals.
Together, volunteers assembled 500 parent packs over two days, which will now be distributed across children’s wards throughout the Trust.
Brandon Vanner, Operations Manager for Facilities said: “The smallest comforts are often the ones we remember most when life feels uncertain. These packs are more than everyday essentials; they’re a reminder that while parents focus on caring for their child, we’re here to care for them. It’s a simple idea, but sometimes the simplest gestures have the greatest impact.”
The project is a powerful example of how partnerships can extend beyond service delivery to create meaningful benefits for patients and families. By working together to support Sophie’s Legacy, University Hospitals Sussex and Stericycle are helping to improve the experience of parents facing some of their most challenging moments and reflecting the ambitions of our Excellent Care Everywhere strategy.
Carol Newsam, Strategic Business Manager at Stericycle, said: “It was an honour to be involved in creating these Parent Packs. Over the two days, it was inspiring to see so many colleagues generously give their time to support such an important cause. Standing alongside 500 completed packs was a powerful reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a significant difference. We hope these packs provide comfort, reassurance and practical support to parents so they can focus on what matters most, being there for their child.”
