How we support families
The Isabel Baker Foundation stands by families during their most challenging times. Collaborating closely with Young Lives Vs Cancer, we ensure that every donation reaches those who need it most.
Helping with essentials during treatment.
Hospital stays during childhood cancer treatment can be long, exhausting and emotionally overwhelming for the whole family. Through conversations with parents, we know that it is often the small, thoughtful things that can make the biggest difference during difficult days on the ward.
Our Essentials Packs have been created to provide both practical support and comfort to families during treatment. Each pack is thoughtfully designed to help parents feel supported during hospital stays and will include items such as a journal, pen, specialist lip balm & hand cream, ear plugs, a book, acupressure sickness bands, signposting information, Love2Shop vouchers, and Amazon vouchers for siblings - who are so often impacted too.
The packs will be kept on the ward and distributed directly to families by Young Lives vs Cancer, helping support reach families at the point it is needed most.
Vouchers from The Isabel Baker Foundation have been a lifeline. My toddler is due to have major surgery and the food vouchers I was kindly given have been a massive worry off my mind
Thank you so much for your kind gift of the M&S voucher given to us by CLIC Sargent. We have been in hospital now just over 5 months so this help is really appreciated.
Dry Suit Support: Safe water fun during treatment
We fund custom-made dry suits for children undergoing cancer treatment who have central lines or Hickman lines. These suits allow your child to safely enjoy water again — whether that’s splashing in the bath, playing in the paddling pool with siblings, or even having a dip in the sea.
Water play is such a simple joy, and we want your child to be able to experience it safely and confidently during treatment. Learn more about how dry suits can support your child here.
"It was a heart warming moment to see our boy back in his element. We couldn't get him out the water because he was having so much fun with his brother and friend"
Isabel's Retreat
We are honoured to offer free holidays at Isabel’s Retreat for families whose children have life-limiting or terminal illnesses, as well as bereaved parents. We know how precious time together is, whether it’s creating special memories during treatment or finding space to rest and heal after loss.
Isabel’s Retreat provides a peaceful escape by the sea, giving families the chance to pause, reconnect, and enjoy moments of normality without the worry of financial pressure. Time away shouldn’t be a luxury, it should be a safe, comforting space to breathe, reflect, and simply be together.
We are proud to offer this support, and to walk alongside families during the most challenging chapters of their lives.
For more information on Isabel's Retreat, please click here
Bereavement Grants
When the foundation first began in 2015, our primary aim was to support bereaved parents. At that time, very little financial help was available, and many families faced significant funeral costs, debt, and the pressure to return to work only weeks after losing their child. No parent should have to worry about finances when facing such unimaginable grief, and we were honoured to be able to stand beside families during that time.
In 2019, the Children’s Funeral Fund was introduced in England, covering burial and cremation fees and easing a heavy burden for grieving families. We are incredibly proud to have played a part in this change through our advocacy in Parliament.
With this support now in place nationally, our work has evolved. Today, we focus on providing practical and emotional support to families during treatment and beyond, including specialist dry suits, essential packs, and free memory-making breaks at Isabel’s Retreat.
Our mission remains the same: to walk alongside families during the hardest moments, offering relief, compassion, and the chance to create meaningful moments together.
"We so appreciate your help at this difficult time... We have some comfort knowing that the service and his burial was what he wanted"
"Thank you so much for your generous donation. It was a sad day but a wonderful celebration of his short but full life. The donation helped enormously"