What We Do
Vision, Mission & Purpose
Vision: Taylor Made Dreams wants all children with life-limiting illnesses to have the opportunity to make their dreams come true.
Mission: To facilitate the creation and delivery of a ‘Taylor-Made’ wish list experience for all eligible children aged 3-18 in the counties of Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Essex.
Purpose: To give those children with life limiting illnesses, and their families, a sense of purpose; the mental strength to continue; moments of comfort; a better quality of life; and precious memories to cherish.
What We Do
Our Services
We aim to achieve these goals through our core services shown below.
Wish Fulfilment
Taylor-Made Dreams assist in the creation of a unique 'TAYLOR-MADE' wish list to meet the specific needs of each child with a life-limiting illness. The wish list includes whatever the child can think of, from toys and days out, to meeting their favourite celebrities & holidays, whatever it may be, we will try our best to fulfil it.
Read more
Holistic Therapy & Counselling
The service is open to the child referred, the siblings and the primary carers of the family, up to 24 sessions each, at a time that works for the family member. Holistic therapy sessions can be provided at home or locally, and support physical wellbeing, relaxation, and emotional wellbeing, providing time for them to look after themselves at the most difficult times. Counselling sessions provide a space to talk about everything and anything, and can take place in the TMD Hub’s dedicated counselling room, online or locally if needed.
Read more
Medical Travel Fund
The medical travel fund provides £250 per family to assist with transport costs to get to clinical appointments and avoid the added stress of taking public transport. In addition the charity's wheelchair access vehicle has enabled families to travel to activities, experiences and holidays arranged and provided by Taylor-Made Dreams.
Read more
Medical Sheepskins
We provide children with a medical sheepskin fleece which relieves sores and pressure points, as well as also helping to regulate temperature.
Read more
Photo Experiences
We offer both family portraits and fantasy photos. Family portraits allow families a studio photo experience wherever they feel most comfortable. In a studio, at home, in nature, or wherever they wish; we aim to make this as accessible as possible. They will receive all of the digital photos from the day, as well as their favourite on canvas to display in the home. Through the fantasy photo, children can become their favourite character or hero on a background of their choosing. They can let their imagination run wild and see their ideas brought to life through digital editing. Families receive a digital copy to keep, and the image is also printed onto a mug and cushion for the child to enjoy. Alternatively, from an existing family photo, we can create an oil painting of the photo.
Read more
Technology Loan Library
Setup in 2021, the Technology Loan Library allows us to provide hands free communication aids for children with limited mobility and/or who are non verbal. The devices we have in our library include Skyle eye trackers, Sharp early years interactive tables as well as portable screens with keyboards.
Read more
Sibling Support Service
In 2022 we launched the Taylor-made Dreams Sibling Support Service to give support to the brothers and sisters of our unwell children. We provide bespoke workshops and day trips for the siblings to be connected to other children who understand their situation, to be around other brothers and sisters who face the same challenges they do on a daily basis.
Read more
Memory Keepsakes
Memory keepsakes have been a core part of our services since the very beginning, gifting TMD families a physical keepsake as a reminder of their loved one and the wonderful memories they have created over their time with us. Families have the option of creating hand casts, fingerprint jewellery and hair jewellery.
Read more
Who We Support
Our Mission
To facilitate the creation and delivery of a ‘Taylor-Made’ wish list experience for all eligible children aged 3-18 in the counties of Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Essex.
Help fund this support
Every donation helps Taylor-Made Dreams support children and their families when time is precious.
DonateQuestions
Questions about our services
Do families have to access all of your services, or just some?
Every family is different, and we will always take our lead from you. There is no requirement to access every service we offer. Our family liaison will talk through everything that is available at your initial meeting and, together, you can decide which services feel most relevant and useful for your family right now. We are led entirely by what matters most to you.
What kinds of wishes do you grant?
Every wish list is bespoke to the child. We have helped children meet their heroes, enjoy time at theme parks, own something they have always wanted, and have experiences they will never forget. Whether it is toy cars or a VIP meet-and-greet, a short break away or something entirely unique, we will always do our very best to make it happen. We discuss each child’s wishes with them personally, or via their advocate, to create their own personalised wish list.
Are there any wishes you are unable to fulfil?
We will always do our absolute best, but there are some things that fall outside what we are able to provide. We are not able to fulfil wishes that involve pets, major building or structural work to the home, or occupational health equipment. We can’t promise or guarantee, but we will always try our very best. If you are unsure whether a wish is something we might be able to help with, please do ask and we will always explore the options.
What is the medical travel fund and how does it work?
The medical travel fund is a one-off payment to help families with the cost of travelling to and from essential medical appointments. We know that frequent hospital visits place a significant financial strain on families, and this fund is designed to ease some of that burden. Families are asked to sign an agreement confirming the funds will be used for that purpose. Your family liaison can talk you through how to apply.
What is the Holistic Therapy and Counselling service?
Where a family needs additional emotional or therapeutic support, we are able to offer holistic therapy and counselling. Holistic therapy is provided in the form of vouchers, which the family can use at a time and place that suits them. Counselling sessions are available either in person or online, depending on what works best for the individual. This service is available to the child and to nuclear family members. Family members that participate in counselling are required to sign an attendance agreement as part of that service.
What is the Sibling Support Service?
We know that siblings of children with life-limiting illnesses are often profoundly affected by what their family is going through, with the parents’ focus understandably directed to the unwell child. Our Sibling Support Service is designed to make sure brothers and sisters have a safe and accepting space to be themselves. It’s a year-long programme for 7-16 year olds with an activity each month. It means siblings can get together to have fun and meet other children who know just what they’re going through.
What is the Technology Loan Library?
Our Technology Loan Library allows families to borrow a range of technology items to help improve quality of life and create enjoyment and connection. Items include Sharp early years interactive learning tables, a Skyle eye tracker, adjustable laptop, as well as multiple iPads. Items are loaned to families for as long as they are needed. Please speak to your family liaison about what is currently available and whether there is something that might make a difference for your child or family.