The Murray Parish Trust

Who we are

Actors Jim Murray and Sarah Parish’s first daughter, Ella-Jayne, was born with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome in 2009 and spent half her short life in paediatric intensive care, Southampton Children’s Hospital. Ella-Jayne died, at home, just eight months old. After they recovered from the immediate horror, Jim and Sarah felt an overwhelming drive to help other children and families and founded The Murray Parish Trust in 2014. They were awarded MBE’s in the King’s New Years Honours 2025 for services to seriously ill children and their families.

Our charity delivers diverse projects that support the mental health of seriously ill children and their families and prevent long-term or complex mental health difficulties that are harder to treat. We do this by delivering a vast range of projects in children’s hospitals, hospices and other health or community settings across the UK. These include drama, dance, art, nature and music therapy; bereavement and mortuary suites, distraction equipment that reduces anxiety, sanctuary and quiet rooms; sibling support; counselling and therapy rooms; and psychological support for children/family members.

Our culture and values

Children with a serious illness are three times more likely to struggle with their mental health. Their childhoods are overshadowed by coming to terms with diagnosis, hospital stays, treatment, feeling different from friends or managing how their illness affects daily life. Many of them struggle with severe anxiety and depression, experiencing isolation and trauma during their journey. These children are at much higher risk of long-term mental health difficulties that are more complex and difficult to treat, on top of living with often complex medical needs. We believe that, through access to diverse, specialist, imaginative and empowering support at the earliest possible moment, we can help prevent long-term mental health difficulties that become more difficult to treat.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We are committed to an environment where everyone can realise their potential, free from discrimination or harassment on the grounds of any protected characteristic. The aim is for our team to represent our community and for each member of the team to feel repected and able to give their best. This approach extends through our staff and freelance team; volunteers, ambassadors and trustees; supporters and donors; and the children and families that our work supports.