IF you imagine a baby hospice, you might think of a sad, grey place, where people talk in hushed tones and wear solemn expressions.

But the management behind Zoe's Place, who are preparing to open a hospice for poorly babies and youngsters aged up to five, say think again.

At the former convent in Normanby, staff have been working hard to create a bright, happy, home from home for families across the North-East, where youngsters can be looked after while experiencing fun and games, and parents and other family members will be supported by dedicated staff.

Nurse manager Sue Bareham said: "Some people may be of the opinion that Zoe's Place will be a sad place, but that's not the case, because we will put as much fun into those little ones' lives as we can.

"If we can get them to hold a toy for the first time, or to smile, it's something they might not have achieved."

With 30 years' experience in nursing, many of which were spent working with children, Mrs Bareham has a clear idea of the hospice's role in the lives of families with very poorly young children and babies.

"These children and families have the same rights as any other family and it's about making sure they have access to appropriate facilities.

"We will work very closely here with the parents, they are the experts, and we are here to support them. The important thing is families feel cared for, it's not just about the babies, it's about the parents, their other children and grandparents too.

"The good thing about Zoe's Place is it will give these children the nursing care they need in a home from home environment."

The convent, known as Cross Beck House, was donated by the Sisters of Mercy, and has provided an ideal environment for the hospice.

Mark Guidery, general manager, said: "It has to be a home from home. Sometimes hospice regulations and authorities tend to want places like this to look like a hospital, but we need it to be a home from home.

"If we can make these children and their families as comfortable as possible, so they can be with each other, and other children, and work things through, that's what it's all about."

Although some areas are waiting to be finished off and the building has to pass its final checks to make sure it complies with regulations to ensure safety, it is already filled with homely touches and murals.

The play room includes the ramparts of a yellow castle on the walls and there are murals of cartoon characters in each of the five bedrooms, created by local artist Nick Thomas.

There is a special sensory room, so deaf or blind children can be stimulated with lights, music or vibrations from music and there are plans for play areas in the gardens.

Upstairs, there are facilities for families to stay at the hospice with their child, as well as a chapel and bereavement suite, all carefully furnished and decorated to make families feel at home.

At first the hospice will be open part-time, but once it is fully operational there will be 20 full-time and 13 part-time nurses.

Mrs Bareham explained it would be a multi-skilled team of registered sick children's nurses, registered general nurses with experience in nursing children, nursery nurses and support workers.

She said: "You won't see the team here rushing around, but you will see them playing with the little ones and giving them lots of cuddles and having fun."

James Bowman, fund development manager for the hospice, explained that Zoe was Greek for gift of life, which is where the name for the hospice came from.

It is two years since the idea for Zoe's Place was conceived and the organisation Life, aimed at promoting life, helped get the ball rolling by supporting the building work, but Mr Bowman said that was where the connection ended, as Zoe's Place would operate totally independently.

"We are not subsidised by any other body, or by government, so we rely heavily on people making donations.

"We have had a lottery grant towards the nurses' salaries for the first three years, but the bulk of our funding comes from donations and fundraisers organised by local people and businesses - they are really behind us, which is wonderful."

Mrs Bareham said: "Around 85 to 90 per cent of the patients we will be looking after will be respite care, to provide care for little ones whose parents need a break, to spend time with their other children. This will all be provided according to the family's needs and the child's needs, on a one to one basis.

"We will also offer palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions and also terminal care.

"Hospices throughout the area provide such a vital service, but there aren't enough of them. We have had 20 inquiries already from families."

She added that while most people might associate hospices with cancer, it was not always the case.

She said the children could include those born prematurely who, because of the advancement of medicine and excellent care they received in special care baby units, had survived when previously they would not have done.

"But there are occasions where their prematurity can lead to problems with their lungs, which may not have developed fully, breathing difficulties due to long-term ventilation and things like that, as well as other complex genetic disorders."

As well as having a warm, open manner, Mrs Bareham comes across as a very positive person.

In between talking about the children's play room and bedrooms, she mentioned how she cannot wait until Christmas, seeing the lights on the tree, and the children's faces when Father Christmas arrives.

"You do have to have a certain disposition to work here," she said, matter of factly.

"What makes it worthwhile is to know you have helped in some part of their lives to make things better, or bearable.

"Those of us privileged enough to work here are passionate about this and we aim to have a centre of excellence, to ensure these families receive the highest standards of care."

Anyone wanting to make a donation, organise a fundraising event for the hospice or get more information on the services it will provide, should contact 01642 457985.