Holistic palliative care for children and young people
What are you looking for?
- A family/individual who needs help
- Looking to donate
- Looking to volunteer
- Looking to support Very Special Kids
- Looking for a career opportunity
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- Understand what Very Special Kids does
- Learn about counselling & emotional support services
- Learn about support for siblings
- Learn about our hospice and accommodation
- Get in touch with Very Special Kids
- Donate
- Donate monthly
- Learn how donations are used
- Volunteer
- Make a donation
- Fundraise for Very Special Kids
- Explore a corporate partnership
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- Leave a gift in my Will
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- Get some information for a story
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- Get in touch with Very Special Kids
About us
Very Special Kids provides holistic palliative care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions as well as tailored support for their families – through life, death and bereavement. We support families across Victoria at Very Special Kids House, home to the state’s only children’s hospice.
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Counselling
We provide counselling and emotional support for each family member to help them through their journey with a life-limiting childhood illness.
At Very Special Kids we have a highly skilled team of professionals including social workers, psychologists, psychotherapists, family therapists and play therapists to provide tailored support.
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Clinical support
Our hospice at Very Special Kids House offers children and young people respite in a home away from home, surrounded by the very best care from our doctors, nurses, carers and trained volunteers. And if the time comes, we provide palliative care at the end of a child’s life to make their last days as special and comfortable as can be.
Learn moreThree ways you can help Very Special Kids
Donate
Your support can make a difference in the lives of children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Every donation to Very Special Kids helps us provide essential support services, including counselling, clinical care, and respite care, to families in need.
Footy Finals Fever
Love your footy? Join us for a great day out as we celebrate the greatest teams in the AFL. Footy Finals Fever is a highlight of both football and corporate entertainment calendars and is the perfect environment to engage staff and clients in a fun and generous way.
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very special stories
News & events
Malvern sibling day – July 2025
A fun and therapeutic program designed to help siblings connect with other young people supported by Very Special Kids.
100 miles for Jordy
Dillon took on a gruelling 100-mile ultra marathon, in memory of his nephew, Jordan.
Online Bereaved Parent Support Group – July 2025
The evening provides an opportunity for parents state-wide, or even interstate, to come together in a virtual space from the comfort of…
Youth Advisory Group take home the win
Celebrating the Youth Advisory Group's 7NEWS Young Achiever Award
Our Space – online bereaved sibling group – July 2025
We invite all 5 to 12 year old bereaved siblings to drop into our zoom session each month.
Callum’s story
Callum lives with Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare form of childhood dementia, with support from Very Special Kids for him and his mum,…
Connecting through grief workshop
Facilitated over four consecutive weeks, this is a connected series of workshops for bereaved parents and carers to meet and share stories of…
A nurse’s 20-year milestone at Very Special Kids
Celebrating Rita's 20 years as a nurse at Very Special Kids
Creating Memories – August 2025
Bereaved parents are invited to attend regular scrapbooking sessions facilitated by coordinator Gerry Silk.
Chelsea’s story
Very special mum Danni, reflects on how their family honour her daughter Chelsea's memory.
Footy Finals Fever
Join us for a great day out as we celebrate the greatest teams in Australian Rules Football.
The impact of community giving
Members of our community are finding new and creative ways to fundraise for Very Special Kids.
Lord Somers family camp – September 2025
Join us for a weekend escape with your family in the beautiful Mornington Peninsula.
A Very Special Ladies Lunch on the Yarra
It was a Very Special Ladies Lunch on Friday 14 March, raising $92,000 for children and families supported by Very Special Kids.
Gather to Give
Amphora are hosting an exclusive one-night-only evening filled with fine food, live music and all proceeds going to Very Special Kids.
Honouring Sister Margaret’s legacy on International Women’s Day
This International Women’s Day, we pay special tribute to our first employee and patron, the late Sister Margaret Noone IBVM AM, who…
A Very Special Golf Day – Capital Golf Club
Join former pro golfer Mark Allen for a day on the greens at the prestigious, invitation-only Capital Golf Club.
Remembering our Life Governors
We remember two Very Special Kids Life Governors, David Jones AO OBE KStJ and Glen Bowes AO, who have died in recent…
Pakenham Bowls Day – October 2025
Join us for a very special day of lawn bowls and family fun!
A very special bond between sisters
Liz shares how being a part of our Youth Advisory Group has helped channel her grief into meaningful action.
Emma’s story
Ashley and Brad reflect on how Very Special Kids supports their daughter Emma, and their whole family unit.
Heartfelt’s camera project
We are incredibly grateful to the Old Carey Grammarians Association for donating a camera through the Heartfelt Camera Project.
