New film aims to increase public understanding of children’s palliative care

Children’s palliative care provides expert support to children who are likely to have short lives, when and where they need it – making magic moments possible.

However, not enough people understand what children’s palliative care is and what it can achieve. And too few families are able to access the support they need.

Childhood Needs Magic is a new short film narrated by Dr Ranj Singh and produced by Together for Short Lives, the UK’s leading charity for children’s palliative care, and Heard.

A new short film released today (11 October) featuring Jessie May nurse Gemma with the twin boys she supports, Albie and Louis, aims to dramatically change the way people understand children’s palliative care.

Childhood Needs Magic is narrated by Dr Ranj Singh, a BAFTA award-winning TV and radio presenter, Sunday Times best-selling author, columnist and doctor. Through the eyes of four children, supported by NHS and children’s hospice professionals, it shows that every childhood needs magic, no matter how short it might be. 

Children who are very unwell still need the same things all children do: friendship, games and relaxation. More than the adults around them, children are brilliant at living in the moment and finding joy and wonder everywhere they go. 

However, not enough people understand what children’s palliative care is and what it can achieve. This film beautifully illustrates how children’s palliative care supports children and families, provides a team of experts around them and helps children to be children no matter how long or short that childhood may be. We hope this film will help to increase the public’s understanding of this essential service as inaccurate perceptions of children’s palliative care are compounding the challenges families experience, leading to further isolation and hindering access to services.

At its heart, this film shows that children’s palliative care provides expert support to children who are likely to have short lives, when and where they need it – making magic moments possible. Using animation, the film brings to life their interior worlds and capacity for finding magic everywhere they go. 

Childhood Needs Magic begins by showing some of the children becoming immersed in magical worlds as they read a book or pretend to a be in space. As the narrative unfolds, we see little moments of magic surrounding everyday scenes, with colours and shapes reflecting how the child feels in a more abstract way. 

The film shows that it is the children’s palliative care provided by professionals and services that make these experiences possible. Gemma’s role as part of Jessie May’s community nursing team, and her connection with Albie and Louis, showcases the hands-on support that helps make such magic possible. Whether it's a simple act of play or a quiet moment, the film underscores how vital palliative care is in giving families like theirs meaningful experiences, regardless of their challenging circumstances.

Childhood Needs Magic has been created by UK children’s palliative care charity Together for Short Lives, alongside Heard, a charity working with people, organisations and the media to inspire content and communication that changes hearts and minds. It has been produced by Catsnake: The Story Agency and has been funded by the True Colours Trust, an independent funder which focusses on improving access to palliative care for babies, children and young people in the UK.

Alex Reuben, mother to Jessie May’s Albie and Louis, says: “I soon understood that palliative care is a broad term that encompasses more than just end of life, but also those with complex needs who have a lot of life still to live.” The support they received from Jessie May has helped Alex see that her boys can continue to find joy and 'magic' in life.

Andy Fletcher, Chief Executive of Together for Short Lives said: “With the right support, seriously ill children can experience the joy, fun, and magic that every childhood needs. It's really important that we improve understanding of what children's palliative care is and what it can achieve I urge as many people as possible to watch Childhood Needs Magic and to share it as widely as possible so that more families can access the lifeline support that children’s palliative care provides.”

Watch the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX3clFVZFa