Safe space with entertainment attractions for young people being supported by the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice

A purpose-built space where young people can be themselves has been built in the grounds of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in Byng Road, Barnet.

“The Lounge” includes a wide variety of attractions – as well as a fridge stocked with drinks and snacks – and is a dedicated area away from the main building for youngsters aged 13 and above.

The aim is to encourage young people transitioning to adult palliative care to spend time at Noah’s Ark.

The hospice believes this is more likely if there is somewhere youngsters can spend time in a safe space set up for their age group and interests.

Anand and Savita Patel – see above – helped to fund the cost of building and equipping The Lounge in memory of their daughter Kinnari who was supported by Noah’s Ark before her death at the age of 12.

The Lounge is a fully-airconditioned 30-square metre space with a ceiling hoist, television and gaming equipment, an arcade machine, sound system, games, books and craft supplies.

An inaugural prom for young people was held in the new building to road test its facilities.

Special events are organised by the hospice’s family activities team to help young people prepare for the transition to adult palliative care.

This is considered an important rite of passage which can be facilitated in a safe and accessible way by offering coaching in life skills.

The Patel family also commissioned a neon sign in The Lounge which illustrates one of the favourite sayings on their daughter Kinnari – “I don’t like it, I love it.”

Also contributing to the construction of The Lounge and its furnishings were the MariaMarina Foundation which was established in 2009 in memory of Maria Holder and her daughter Marina Brewster, mother and sister of the foundation’s president and chief executive Christopher Holder and the hospice’s 2023 Winter Ball Committee.