We are a voluntary organisation set up to offer help and support to children with heart disorders and their families regardless of how slight or severe the condition may be.

Having a baby or child with a heart disorder is very stressful, particularly at the time of diagnosis, before surgery and postoperatively. No matter how helpful and supportive hospital staff are, as parents you will always have worries and unanswered questions. It may be helpful to talk to another parent who has experienced a similar situation and understands how you feel.

• Information on congenital heart defects, in the form of fact sheets about different disorders, education, exercise, feeding problems, preparation for surgery etc. These can be obtained from the office.
• We have also written a book Heart Children - a practical handbook for parents covering all aspects of having a heart child including heart conditions, living with a heart child, hospitalisation, benefits etc.
• Contact between families by the maintenance of local support groups, social events and a regular newsletter.
• Support through a rota of hospital visitors and the staffing of information desks at cardiac outpatients clinics. At present we have these desks staffed by volunteers.
• Membership is free and open to all children with a heart defect and their families. We also welcome any person interested in supporting such a family.

Many of our HeartLine children are now reaching adolescence and facing issues specific to their situation. We hope to create a support network for this age group and encourage activities which will provide a basis for this.

HeartLine secures funds from corporate business and charitable trusts.  At the present time, the trusts are our main source of income for our projects.  These include hospital packs, dental packs, MedicAlert bracelets, sailing and PGL activity breaks.

Corporate business is happy to fund projects, but will also consider core funding.  This is the money needed to run the charity from day-to-day.  This includes office rental, staffing, communications, HeartLine magazine, medical publications and fact sheets.

Most companies now only give to charities nominated by their employees, or match the amount raised by an employee.  If you know that your company gives money in this way, we would be pleased to hear from you.  There is a large resource to be tapped and we need your help.  We now have over 1,500 families registered with us and our costs are increasing year-on-year.

Please tell us if you would consider working with us to approach your company, if so, please let us know the name of the company, address, telephone number and a contact name if possible by contacting the office.

Heartline is free to join for any family with a child with a congenital heart condition. We also welcome professionals who wish to learn more about the subject to join. You can join by completing the membership form, or contacting the office.

In no way should this web site be a substitute for personal contact between the family and the teams involved in your child's care. Nor should it be inferred as such.

Always check with your child's doctor if you have any questions or concerns about a condition. There are many grey zones in medicine in which the decisions made concerning your child and the actions taken may not follow those outlined in this web site.