Respite breaks for families facing childhood illness or bereavement
Our respite breaks give families we support time together away from everyday pressures, with peaceful stays in our holiday homes or relaxing trips aboard our riverboat.
Respite breaks for your family
When a child is seriously ill, or a family is navigating bereavement, finding time and space to be together can feel difficult. Our respite breaks offer a safe and welcoming change of scenery, away from hospital appointments, treatment and everyday routines.
Your family could stay in one of our holiday homes near the coast or the New Forest, or enjoy a few relaxing hours aboard our riverboat on the Thames. Each option offers a different experience, giving you the freedom to choose the break that feels most suitable for your family.
Our respite breaks are free of charge (aside from voluntary donations) and are there to help us support the emotional and mental wellbeing of you and your family.
Time and space for your family
Serious illness or bereavement can place enormous pressure on the whole family, leaving little time to rest or simply be together. A respite break offers valuable breathing space away from hospital appointments and the pressures of everyday life.
From a quiet weekend away to an afternoon on the river, each break gives children, siblings, parents and carers time to reconnect, support their emotional wellbeing and create meaningful memories together.
Every family experiences respite differently, but a break can offer:
Space to rest
A peaceful change of scenery can give your family valuable breathing space away from appointments, treatment and the demands of everyday life.
Time to reconnect
With fewer demands on your time, you can slow down, enjoy one another’s company and focus on simply being together.
Moments to remember
Whether you are watching the sunset, exploring somewhere new or enjoying a day on the river, shared experiences can create precious memories for your family.
Our respite locations
Moments on the River boat
Enjoy a relaxing family trip aboard our 40-foot canal boat, moored at Shepperton Marina in Surrey.
Shorefield Park
Stay in peaceful woodland surroundings near the New Forest, with opportunities to relax and explore together.
Church Farm
Enjoy a coastal change of scenery in Pagham, West Sussex, overlooking the lagoon of a nearby nature reserve.
Planning your respite break
Every family’s circumstances are different. Your Family Support Worker can help you explore the available options, consider which location may be most suitable and explain how to request a break.
Before making a request, you can learn more about what is included, accessibility, nearby medical facilities and what your family will need to know before, during and after your break in our respite FAQs
Speak to your Family Support Worker if you would like to explore whether a respite break could be right for your family.
Request a respite break
For families supported by Momentum Children’s Charity. Submit an enquiry to let us know your preferred dates. This is not a confirmed booking. All requests are subject to availability and approval by our Family Support team. We will contact you to confirm whether we can offer you a break.
Moments on the River boat
Enjoy a relaxing trip together aboard our riverboat. Enquire below.
Shorefield Park
Take time together at our Shorefield Country Park holiday home. Enquire about your preferred dates below.
Church Farm
Enjoy a peaceful coastal break at our Church Farm holiday home. Enquire about your preferred dates below.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cabins are available to all Momentum supported families. However, please note:
- Priority for bookings is given to families who are currently undergoing treatment, or recently bereaved, and who have not stayed in the cabins before.
- During peak periods priority is given to families with school age children.
- One well behaved dog is allowed at Church Farm. Our other respite locations cannot accomodate pets sorry, so please keep them at home.
The boat is available to all Momentum supported families. However, please note:
- Priority for bookings is given to families who are currently undergoing treatment or recently bereaved, and who have not been on our boat before.
- Our boat trip allocation is dependent on the right weather and river conditions, as well as our volunteer skippers’ availability.
- Our cabin can be used for week bookings Monday to Friday, or weekend bookings Friday to Monday.
- 4pm check in and 10am check out.
- Peak bookings (during school holidays) will be taken no earlier than four months before the start date.
- Our availability calendar is subject to change.
- There are several medical centres and general hospitals in the local area. Full details of all facilities can be found here.
- If you need wheelchair access please let us know so that we can support you.
Respite news
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Family Story
Gracie’s story
Sixteen-year-old Gracie is a Young Ambassador for Momentum. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bone cancer in 2024.…
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News
Pirates and Mermaids set sail
During the May Half Term holiday, a number of families joined our Family Support Workers, Diana and Sam, at Shepperton…
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News
Moments of happiness on the water over Easter
During the Easter holidays, sixteen families experienced a special adventure aboard our boat, Moments on the River.
Donate today to give families precious time together, away from treatment.
Registered charity number 1195373 (formerly 1106677)
“We were there for four days, and it was such a lovely reset. We are unable to go abroad with Oscar at the moment as we can’t get the insurance, be too far from hospital, or risk losing lots of money through not being able to go at the last minute, so this was perfect.”
A Momentum supported mother and her son