Together for Short Lives

 

Together for Short Lives, is the chosen charity for this year's X Factor charity single. Together for Short Lives is the only charity representing the estimated 23,500 children and young people across the UK who are unlikely to reach adulthood and their families. All net proceeds from the single, which features the finalists as well as JLS and One Direction, will go towards providing care and support to families so that they get the help they need. 

Providing care - often 24 hours a day, seven days a week - can place families under enormous emotional, physical and financial strain. Relationships can suffer; careers may have to be abandoned; well brothers and sisters can feel left out; and normal family activities become almost impossible. 

Many remarkable organisations, including children's hospices embrace not only the physical, but the emotional, social and spiritual elements of care, focusing on quality of life for the child or young person, and practical support for the family. 

However, while there are some excellent services available, many families struggle to access co-ordinated care when and where they need it. 

Together for Short Lives is here to help. It could be as simple as signposting a parent to a place that can take care of their ill child while they take their well sister to Brownies, or providing them with a ‘family companion’ booklet to help families work through what to expect, and where they can find help. 

Together for Short Lives:

• Helps families know about care available to them
• Works with organisations so that they continue offer the highest standards of care 
• Raises and distributes funds to essential care organisations.
• Provides a voice for children, families and providers, ensuring they are heard by Governments.
• Highlights the needs of children, young people and their families requiring support.

The profile and funds generated by the X Factor will make such a difference to this critical work.