Each year, Hull Hospitals’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) cares for over 500 premature babies, some stay for hours or days, whilst others stay for weeks and months. Hull is one of four Level 3 NICU’s within the Yorkshire and Humber region, caring for babies from 22 weeks gestation, offering specialist intensive care for babies locally and across the country.

Through the appeal, funds raised will enable WISHH to create:

★ A sensory room – to enable babies to learn and develop new connections in their brain through light and sound stimulation.

★ Development of siblings’ facilities – to enable siblings to play whilst families visit, helping to alleviate the stress parents are already going through.

★ Enhancement of the current parents’ facilities - to create a parents ‘Haven’ to allow them to discuss sensitive issues in a calming environment, whilst also allowing them space to gather their thoughts.

★ Creation of a staff training facility – to create a fresh and contemporary learning environment for neonatal staff.

Francesca Matthews, Neonatal Ward Manger said, “Due to the complexity of medical needs, more babies are staying for up to 49 gestational weeks. These ‘older’ babies and their families would greatly benefit from sensory stimulation to support their developmental process, ensuring excellent clinical care alongside vital developmental support. Such facilities will also provide these families with a degree of normality, being able to interact within a calming and creative environment with their baby.

Parents and families who are spending time on the unit for extended periods, will greatly benefit from the new sibling’s and parent’s facilities enhancing and improving their experience at what is a very difficult time. Training is also paramount for our staff and to have a dedicated space will enable educators to deliver specialist training to team members.”

WISHH are inviting members of our community, schools and local businesses to get in touch to become involved by pledging support of our ‘Space to Grow’ appeal.’ To become involved or for further information, contact Lisa Whitton, WISHH Charity Manager lisa.whitton3@nhs.net or call on 01482 622299.

If you would prefer to send a cheque, this can be made payable to “WISHH Charity” – writing on the reverse ‘Space to Grow Appeal’, and posted to us at WISHH Charity Space to Grow Appeal, First Floor Administration Block, Castle Hill Hospital, Castle Road, Cottingham, HU16 5JQ.

To keep up to date with out latest news on the appeal, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and To keep up to date with out latest news on the appeal, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

★ Update: As of 1st September, any donations or fundraising for our Space to Grow appeal will be doubled! A kind donor who has offered to match fund donations made to our “Space to Grow Appeal”, up to the sum of £25,000. Read all about our £25,000 matched fund boost!

Any funds raised above the £100,000 target will be used to support babies, children, young people and families across Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital.