A grieving father has spoken movingly about how a children’s hospice helped his family “find a space to nest” after their baby son died.
The children's hospice in Sutton Scotney supported them through the loss of their son Teddy, who was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive rhabdoid tumour before his first birthday.
Ben Dawkins, Teddy’s father, said: "We were completely and utterly lost."
The family’s journey began when they noticed blood in Teddy’s nappy.
He was admitted to Southampton Children’s Hospital, where doctors discovered a rare tumour in his bladder.
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Further scans revealed a second, larger tumour in his brain. Teddy was not expected to survive surgery.
Ben said: "It felt like it was happening to someone else. We were just numb."
After time in hospital, the family was referred to Naomi and Jack’s House.
Though Katie, Ben’s partner, had previously supported the hospice, Ben admitted he didn’t fully understand what it could offer.
He said: "When we first arrived, we realised we just needed somewhere to be together.
"After the busy hospital, it felt gentle and calm – like we could finally nest."
Teddy was cared for in a cot beside his parents’ bed, with hospice staff ensuring his pain was managed and his older sister, Libby, was supported.
Ben, from Salisbury, said: "The play team told her she could choose whatever she wanted from a big cupboard of toys. Her face just lit up. It mattered so much that she didn’t feel scared."
He described the care as “first class” and said the hospice allowed them to stay with Teddy without any time pressure in his final moments.
Ben said: "No one wants to talk about death – it’s a taboo. But Naomi and Jack’s made us feel it was okay. They were there when we needed them most."
Teddy died in the early hours of January 20, 2016.
The hospice continued to support the family afterwards with counselling, bereavement services, and sibling support groups for Libby.
Ben has since taken on fundraising challenges for the hospice, including bike rides.
He said: "Families need to know it’s there, even if they think they’ll never need it."
He added: "They didn’t just care for Teddy – they cared for all of us. We’ll always be grateful."
Naomi and Jack’s House in Sutton Scotney provides 24-hour end-of-life care for children and support for their families.
Donations help the charity continue offering a safe, supportive space for families to spend time together and say goodbye.
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