PHOTOGRAPHS taken by the parents of children who are supported by a children's hospice are set to go on display later this month.

The images are part of the H-Word exhibition which combines a series of workshops to explore what the East Anglian Children's Hospices and the word 'hospice' means to them.

The display will showcase photographs taken by Louise Ormrod, from Colne Engaine who's son Freddie Ormrod has Leigh Syndrome a mitochondrial disorder which affects energy-producing cells in his body.

Freddie was diagnosed with the condition when he was six months old.

In one of her photographs Louise has captured the sun shining through trees, which she called 'Hope'.

Sophie Munnery, from Dovercourt will also have a number of pieces of her work on display.

Sophie's daughter Maisy Kidd-Munnery has cerebral palsy and a severe form of epilepsy.

Amongst others, Sophie is sharing two photographs one of hearts and the other of a rainbow.

With these pictures she has shared the quotes "No beauty shines brighter than that of a good heart" and "On the canvas of life… we often go off colour, but as long as there are special people to add the right shades, life goes on to be a rainbow."

The idea for this came about after a UK-wide survey conducted in 2017 found over a quarter of respondents did not understand what children’s palliative care meant or what children’s hospices were for.

The H-Word has received positive feedback from other children’s hospices around the country and, if well received in Ipswich, EACH hopes to take the exhibition on tour around the rest of the region.

It will run from Tuesday June 18 until Thursday June 27 at the Whistler Gallery of DanceEast, in Foundry Lane.

It is sponsored by print group Healeys, a long-standing EACH supporter.

Rachel Wright, EACH family communications co-ordinator, said: "We hear time and time again that the word ‘hospice’ is a barrier for families eligible for our service. Research shows there is a lot of stigma and fear around the word, and myths and misunderstanding abound.

"This exhibition showcases the realities of children’s hospice care through the eyes of those who have first-hand experience and we hope it’ll be a good start to dispelling all that.

"In any case, it’ll be a really proud moment for the amazing parents who have worked really hard on making this project a success."

Gallery doors will be open from 9am to 9.30pm, Monday to Thursday, until 7pm on Friday, 9am to 6pm on the Saturday and 10am to 5pm on the Sunday.

Visitors who bring a smartphone and headphones will be able to listen to interviews with the photographers whilst viewing the pictures.

For more information visit www.each.org.uk/thehword.