CHILDREN and families enjoyed respite and sensory fun at a hospice site.

Echo: Lights - Rosie Harris watches the patterns on the wall Lights - Rosie Harris watches the patterns on the wall

The families from across Essex attended the event at Little Havens Hospice in Thundersley and enjoyed making music, playing with toys, reading books and trying out the sensory equipment while experiencing new sounds and lights.

Echo: Reading - Ellis Collins with a fun bookReading - Ellis Collins with a fun book

Mason Moore, one, from Chelmsford, Rosie Harris, also one, and Ellis Collins, two-years-old from Rayleigh all enjoyed and benefitted from the event.

Echo: Sounds - Mason Moore listening to a sensory toy N Reading - Ellis Collins with a fun book N Fun - Rosie Harris and Evie Bocking from the care team N Noises - Mason Moore with one of the sensory toys Sounds - Mason Moore listening to a sensory toy N Reading - Ellis Collins with a fun book N Fun - Rosie Harris and Evie Bocking from the care team N Noises - Mason Moore with one of the sensory toys

Heather and Michael Collins, Ellis’s mum and dad, had plenty of praise for the hospice.

They said: “Little Havens has been a refuge for our family ever since we first visited.

Echo: Toys - Rosie Harris with Evie Bocking Toys - Rosie Harris with Evie Bocking

“It is such a relaxed and specialist atmosphere that allows us to recharge a little with help from the friendly and supportive medically trained staff.

Echo: Fun - Two-year-old Ellis Collins from Rayleigh loved playing with the cool dinosaurs at the hospice during the play time event Fun - Two-year-old Ellis Collins from Rayleigh loved playing with the cool dinosaurs at the hospice during the play time event

“It is so wonderful to see Ellis happy with unfamiliar adults again after being at home shielding during the pandemic.

Echo: Play - Rosie Harris enjoying a noisy toy Play - Rosie Harris enjoying a noisy toy

“When the toddler group was mentioned, we knew immediately that all guidelines would be stringently followed because Little Havens understand vulnerable children’s needs in a much deeper way.

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“It gives us peace of mind to be in a clean, safe and happy environment without needing to explain Ellis’s medical conditions before arriving.”