Childrens Heartbeat Trust

27/10/2025

Thank you to everyone who applied to attend our Christmas Events. We have been overwhelmed with applications.

The CHT Elves will work their way through them this week and respond by email to confirm if you have secured a place or have been added to our waiting list. (Please do check your spam folders also for our correspondence)

Thank you for your patience.
CHT Team🎅

27/10/2025

🌟 Supporting Young People on Their Heart Journey ❤

We were delighted to co-host our Paediatric to Adult Congenital Heart Disease Services Transition Evening last week! Young people and their families joined us for an inspiring and informative evening where they:

🏥 Took a guided tour of the adult CHD outpatient department
🩺Heard from our dedicated paediatric and adult nurse specialists
💬Gained insights from our clinical psychologist about navigating change and independence
❤️ And had the chance to ask questions to our consultant cardiologist about what to expect in adult care.

Transitioning from paediatric to adult services is an important milestone and we’re committed to making it a positive, empowering experience for every young person. Thank you to everyone who attended and to our wonderful multidisciplinary team for their time and compassion.

If you require further information on this support service, please get in touch with Katie on katie@childrensheartbeattrust.org

25/10/2025

We had another successful Young Hearts Event in Belfast last Saturday 18th October!

Our young people had the opportunity to participate in some activities and play games with youth workers from T.A.M.H.I! Tamhi Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues

The young people were able to get to know each other, talk about the topic of friendships all while having fun! We then created our own friendship flowers to take home🌸

If your child/young person would be interested in joining our Young Hearts Programme (from age 7) we have a few events coming up in the next couple of months so keep your eyes on our social media pages for information on how to register for these events!

For any further information please contact:
Katie: 074 8313 0853 Email: katie@childrensheartbeattrust.org or
Nakita: 074 1584 9441 Email: nakita@childrensheartbeattrust.org

24/10/2025

Our Christmas events are here! 🎅🎄☃

This year we have three exciting festive events for our families.
Please see full details below. Spaces for these events are extremely limited and booking will be on a first come first serve basis.

1. Enchanted Winter Garden - Wed 10th Dec (6.30 pm)
Register for this event via this link:
(link now closed)

2. Derry/Londonderry Panto - Sun 30th Nov 2025 (1.30 pm)
Register for this event via this link:
(link now closed)

3. Glen Park Christmas Experience, Omagh - Sunday 7th Dec (10.30 am)
Register for this event via this link:
(link now closed)

We will work through the applications next week and respond by email to confirm if you have secured a place or are on our waiting list.

We can't wait to have you join us!
CHT Team🎅

23/10/2025

Due to Storm Amy we had to reschedule the launch of our new Siblings Programme.

We are delighted to confirm our new date of 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫! We will be kicking off the launch with a Sibling Fun Day at The Jungle NI!

The purpose of this programme is to provide understanding, acceptance, belonging and identity for siblings of children and young people with congenital heart disease. Through fun days like this one and smaller workshop sessions across NI we hope to create a wider support circle for young siblings and carers. The goal is to reduce isolation amongst peers, working towards a shared empathy and understanding of living as a heart family.

Join us on Saturday 8th November 2025 from 11am-1.30pm for some fun activities, making new friends and lunch!

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝟕-𝟏𝟑, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.

📍10.45am - Arrival
📍Activities – Mowgli Tree Top Adventure Course & Body Zorb Football
📍1pm - Lunch
📍1.30pm – Pickup

During this time there will also be a parents session taking place at the Jungle NI where Cathy, our Family and Youth Support Manager will be working along with Tina, wellbeing coach to open up some important discussions and offer support to parents.

𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐮𝐩:
𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐩𝐬://𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬.𝐠𝐥𝐞/𝐂𝐔𝐞𝐉𝐕𝐝𝐝𝐧𝟖𝐂𝟗𝐚𝟒𝟔𝟒𝐉𝟔

If you would like more information please reach out to Nakita on 074 1584 9441 or email: nakita@childrensheartbeattrust.org

22/10/2025

Our Social Impact...

You might be wondering, what is "social and economic value" and what does this number actually mean?

In simple terms, it’s a way to measure the full good that comes from our work. It measures the value that comes from our services beyond operational costs.

For example, when we book a venue for a family fun day, that's the direct cost. But the social and economic value is the much bigger picture, for example:

It's the value of a family’s reduced feelings of isolation.
It’s the increase in self-esteem felt by children with CHD meeting other children with CHD.
It’s the value siblings get from meeting other siblings.
It’s the value of being seen and being understood without having to explain.

So, the £6.22 figure shows that your £1 donation doesn't just buy £1 of help, it creates a powerful wave of wellbeing and stability worth over six times as much, making a challenging journey easier for heart families across Northern Ireland.❤

21/10/2025

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐦 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐧! 🍪🎨

You're invited to join them for a sweet and creative afternoon. Bring your little ones along for some tasty fun. Decorate your own cookies with icing, sprinkles, and more! 🎉

📍 Antrim Forum – New Hall
🕜 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
📅 Saturday, 9th November 2025

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬:
𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚: 𝟎𝟕𝟓𝟒𝟓 𝟑𝟗𝟖𝟑𝟖𝟕 or 𝐕𝐢𝐤𝐤𝐢: 𝟎𝟕𝟖𝟎𝟑 𝟎𝟔𝟔𝟏𝟕𝟔.

Whether you're new to the group or have been before, everyone’s welcome!

20/10/2025

We were delighted to recently attend the launch of the Clark Clinic Virtual Tour, created by Heart Dad and Games Development lecturer Dr Darragh Lydon along with Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) students Aaron Tasker-Lynch and Lauren Osbourne alongside Katy McCarron from Ulster University.

This innovative project offers a unique and compassionate insight into the ward where children across Northern Ireland receive specialist cardiac care.

Dr. Lydon explains:
"Our time in Clark Clinic with Owen was one of the hardest of our lives, but the staff and the Children’s Heartbeat Trust supported us so much. After Owen was discharged, I wanted to give something back to help other families. I hope this project offers support to those with a loved one facing congenital heart disease. I’m especially grateful to Lauren, Katy and Aaron for making this possible through their hard work and generosity."

The virtual tour aims to ease the anxiety of the unknown for parents by showing them exactly where their child will be cared for. It also serves as a valuable tool for helping siblings and extended family understand the experience, fostering greater awareness and inclusion.

We are incredibly thankful to heart dad, Dr. Darragh Lydon, Lauren, Katy, and Aaron for creating this amazing resource, which will make a real difference to families facing the challenges of congenital heart disease.

Dr Darragh Lydon and three students have developed an interactive virtual tour of the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children’s Clark Ward

19/10/2025

📅 Dates for Your Diary! 🎉

We’ve got some awesome youth events coming up between now and Christmas, and trust us, you don’t want to miss out! From games and activities to Ice-Hockey and bowling , there’s loads to look forward to.

🗓️ Pop these dates in your calendar now.
📍Please Note new date for our Young Hearts Christmas event below.
Full details for each event and how to register will be shared closer to the time!

If you have any questions/queries or would like more information please contact Katie or Nakita on the details below:

Katie: 074 8313 0853, katie@childrensheartbeattrust.org
Nakita: 074 1584 9441, nakita@childrensheartbeattrust.org

17/10/2025

𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐛 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲!🥰

It’s been over a month since our last Fab Friday Fundraiser Album, and so much amazing fundraising has been happening in that time! We've been lucky to catch a few of you on camera though we know some of our fabulous supporters prefer to stay behind the scenes, camera shy!

Whether you made it into the album or not, please know how truly grateful we are for every single donation. Your support helps us continue providing vital services for local children and young people living with heart disease.🫶

Every donation we receive allows us to enhance our support services from ward visits by our Family Support Team delivering emotional support and practical guidance to funding our peer support networks, and financial grants for families who must travel outside Northern Ireland for surgery.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐇𝐃 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝.❤

Take a look at this week’s album to see who we managed to snap!📸

16/10/2025

🎃𝐀 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐡 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐮𝐧!

This slot will be exclusive to our heart families, so why not wrap up warm, put on your wellies and join them for some pumpkin patch fun.

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐲𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝟎𝟕𝟕 𝟗𝟓𝟑𝟗 𝟐𝟔𝟔𝟔.

🎃Omagh Heart Family Group Meeting🎃
Sunday 26th October 10am - 12noon
Pumpkin Patch, 31 Legacurry Road, Omagh BT79 0YN
Refreshments will be provided.

All families welcome.

16/10/2025

As we mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, it's an important reminder that your mental wellbeing matters. 💜

We want to highlight our free, confidential counselling and youth counselling support available through Inspire Wellbeing.

Whether you'd prefer to talk in person, over the phone, or via video call, support is here when you need it. There’s also a 24/7 helpline available for immediate support.
(See infographics for details)

💬 This free service is available to heart families and young people living with congenital heart disease in Northern Ireland.

When reaching out, just mention Children’s Heartbeat Trust in your call or email.

You are never alone, we're here for you ❤️
CHT Team 🥰