A Wirral mother has opened up about the vital role Claire House Children’s Hospice played following the sudden and heartbreaking loss of her baby daughter, Cora.
Jess Maddock, from Wallasey, explained that the Merseyside hospice was by her side “within the hour,” providing a lifeline that has continued to support her family years later.
Jess shared her story during Dying Matters Awareness Week 2026 to highlight the hospice’s work beyond traditional medical care.
In 2019, Jess welcomed twins Rose and Cora, but Cora tragically became unwell and passed away in January 2020 after being diagnosed with NEC, a serious bowel condition.
At the time, the family was split between hospitals, with Rose still receiving care at Arrowe Park while Cora was at Alder Hey.
Creating Time and Sanctuary
The transition from a hospital setting to the hospice provided the family with the space to process their grief.
Claire House, which operates sites in both Bebington and West Derby, offers specialist end-of-life care and emotional support for families facing the toughest moments imaginable.
For Jess and her husband Ashley, the hospice’s Butterfly Suite became a sanctuary.
The room was prepared specifically for Cora, filled with music and decorations that allowed the couple to engage in the milestones they had expected to celebrate at home. Jess recalled:
“My husband Ashley and I were supported to make memories: her first lock of hair, her handprints…all the precious things parents usually do in their own time at home after having a newborn.
“We could never have imagined not having the time to do those things, but Claire House made sure we did.”
The hospice also provided a cold cot, which allowed Cora to spend time at the family home, a place she had previously only known from inside the womb.
These small but significant moments, including taking Cora for a walk in a pram around the hospice grounds, provided the family with treasures they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
A Legacy of Ongoing Support
The support from Claire House did not end in the days following Cora’s passing.
As the family moved into the 2020 lockdowns, the charity transitioned its services online to ensure they were never without help.
Today, the family remains active within the Claire House community, participating in social events designed for bereaved parents, ranging from football matches for dads to wellness sound baths.
Reflecting on the impact the hospice has had on their lives, Jess said:
“We’d be in a very different place without Claire House.
“Still to this day, we’re supported.
“We get involved in social events for bereaved parents, there’s always something going on.
“Claire House has been there with whatever we’ve needed, from counselling to complementary therapies, which has made a massive difference.”
Today, her twin sister Rose is six years old and, according to Jess, embodies the spirit her sister left behind.
The family remains deeply grateful to the donors and staff who keep the charity running, noting that despite the darkness of the time, they hold only fond memories of the care they received.
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