Our Homes Away From Home

Caring for families

Our Homes Away From Home program offers families a welcoming, affordable place to stay while their children receive care in hospital. Whether it’s for a short appointment or a long hospital stay, these homes give families a safe space to rest and stay together.

We operate two 10-bedroom homes on hospital campuses—Jeneece Place in Victoria and Q̓walayu House in Campbell River.

Thanks to the generous support of our donors, the cost of staying is significantly reduced. This means families can stay close in the moments their child needs them most.

Jeneece Place – Victoria

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Q̓ʷalayu House – Campbell River

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Eligibility

To be eligible to stay at one of our Homes Away From Home, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:

You must be travelling more than 45km, or travelling by ferry/plane, for health care
Child accessing health care must be 0 to 19 years old (up to 20th birthday)
Families must require a continual stay (i.e., not travelling back and forth from their home community)
A health care provider must complete a referral form on behalf of a family. Families cannot self-refer.

Other eligibility for Q̓ʷalayu House

You are a pregnant individual from a remote northern community needing to relocate close to hospital near your due date

Booking a stay

A health care provider completes our online referral form.

An email will be sent to the family indicating we have received the request.

Stay confirmations are provided 24–48 hours prior to the requested arrival time, based on availability.

Request a room

*Due to the unexpected nature of medical needs, reservations cannot be guaranteed until 24 hours before check-in.

Frequently asked questions

Who can stay at the Homes?

We support families travelling more than 45km for their child’s medical care, regardless of their diagnosis, income, or length of stay.

Q̓ʷalayu House also welcomes pregnant individuals arriving from remote communities so they can stay close to the hospital as their due date approaches.

How much does it cost?

The operational cost to accommodate a family to stay at Q̓ʷalayu House is $160 per night, and Jeneece Place is $165 per night. To keep costs manageable for families as well as to ensure long-term sustainability, we follow a two-tiered fee structure. This means that, thanks to donor support:

Families are asked to contribute $25+GST per night.

For third-party funders that are government-funded agencies, our rate is $100+GST per night, and for third-party funders that are donor-funded, our rate is $25+GST per night.

We accept cash, debit cards, or credit cards. Families are encouraged to investigate funding options in advance with their health care team. Payment assistance may be secured in advance.

When providing a referral, please provide all the information available regarding third-party billing.  If this information (name and contact) is not received before their arrival, the invoice for the stay will be provided to the family upon check-out.

A family needs a room for tonight. How do I find out if there is availability?

First, a health care provider can complete the referral form online. Then, call the home directly and speak with the staff to confirm availability. The homes are staffed 24/7, so there is always someone close to a phone to receive your request.

Can families use the homes during the day without staying overnight?

Day use of the Homes can also be arranged for eligible families who do not require a room overnight. Guests must pre-register and meet eligibility requirements. Walk-ins are not permitted.

Can my other children and family stay at the Homes?

Parents, guardians, siblings, or chosen family are welcome to stay if they are supporting the patient or the needs of the family. At times, siblings may not be allowed at the hospital. Children cannot be left in the home without an adult family member. Only one room can be provided per family.

Please discuss your family size at the time of referral. We have some limitations on the occupancy of our family bedroom.

What happens when we arrive at the Homes?

Our Homes are staffed 24/7. Whenever you arrive, you will be greeted by a team member.

At check-in, staff will request a photo ID for all adult guests staying in your room.

You will be given a tour of the Home and your room and a review of the Home guidelines. You will receive keys for your room and the Home’s exterior doors.

How do I receive a referral to stay at one of the Homes?

Someone from your health care team must complete an online referral form. This is the only way to request a room to stay.

Are rooms always available? How do I confirm my stay?

Stays are based on availability, and due to the unpredictable nature of our guests’ situations, we are unable to confirm a room until 24 hours in advance. Room requests can be made at any time; however, we can only guarantee a room 24 hours prior to arrival.

Families who need to find alternative accommodations due to a lack of availability at the Home will remain on a waitlist and will be offered a room once it becomes available.

Walk-in requests are not possible. Advance referrals are always required.

What happens if my dates get changed?

This happens frequently. Please contact your health care professional and ask them to resend another referral form with the new date. We can always change your expected arrival date in our files, but we must receive confirmation from your health care professional.

Is there parking available on-site?

There is on-site parking for families staying at the Homes. There is one parking spot per room.

Are the Homes wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both Homes are wheelchair accessible. Both have one family room that is completely accessible, and there is an additional accessible shower room. There is an elevator in the home to support accessing all common areas.

Please indicate your accessibility needs at the time of your stay request.

How close is the hospital? Can you help us get to our appointments?

Jeneece Place is a 400m walk to Victoria General Hospital.

Q̓ʷalayu House is a 550m walk to Campbell River General Hospital.

We do not provide any transportation support.

Do the Homes offer medical assistance?

No medical or counselling services are provided at either Home.

Do the Homes offer childcare services?

Childcare services are not provided. While on the premises, children must be under the supervision of an adult family member at all times.

Is there a kitchen I can use during my stay?

The Homes have a communal kitchen for families to use. Each family has a refrigerator, freezer and cupboard space where personal food can be stored. There are basic pantry supplies for families to access.

What should I pack?

Families should bring their own clothing, toiletries and food.

Kitchens have shared pots, pans, dishes and other utensils. Family bedrooms have bed linens and towels.

Both Homes have emergency supplies to access when necessary and as available.

What amenities are at the Homes?

Families are welcome to use the kitchen facilities (including outdoor BBQ) to cook their own meals. There are pots, pans, basic baking and cookware, and utensils to use. There is a shared pantry with some basic food staples.

There are laundry facilities and detergent available at the Homes for families.

Wi-Fi is available throughout the Homes, and each family room has a TV.

Both Homes have play areas with books, games and activities. There are also outdoor areas for play.

Are there any Home guidelines that need to be followed?

We aim to make our Home be your home away from home. We strive to provide a nurturing and supportive environment while respecting that families value their privacy. Family rooms are private, whereas common areas may have many families sharing the space.

Our Homes are drug, alcohol, and smoke-free facilities.

A full orientation to the Home’s rules will be provided to families when they arrive. 

Download our family handbooks:

Can pets stay?

We can accommodate Certified Guide Dogs and Service Dogs only. Please indicate the use of guide or service dog at the time of requesting a room. Animal registration details may be requested.

My family is staying at the Home, can we have visitors?

Guests may have day-time visitors between the hours of 8 am and 9 pm, subject to reasonable limitations on numbers.

All visitors must sign in when they arrive at the Homes and respect the privacy and needs of other families. Guests are responsible for their visitors following all Home guidelines.

Overnight visitors must be checked in by staff.

How long can we stay?

Length of stay can vary depending on the needs of the child and family. Guests’ needs will be assessed in consultation with the family and their health care providers on a weekly basis.

When is check in and check out?

Check-ins can occur after 4 pm. The Homes are staffed 24/7, so there is always someone to welcome families. Please call if you are planning to check in before 4 pm to see if your room is ready.

Check-out time is 11 am when possible. This allows us time to get the room ready for the next family. We know that sometimes your hospital discharge plans are unpredictable. Please keep staff informed of your check-out plans.