Documentary filmmaker and broadcaster Louis Theroux found himself on the other side of the questions when he visited Martin House Children’s Hospice in Boston Spa, where seven-year-old Hooriya took the opportunity to interview him.
Louis visited the hospice on Tuesday 6 October, touring its newly transformed facilities and meeting children and families supported by the charity.
During the visit, he saw the new children’s wing and hydrotherapy pool and learned more about the specialist palliative care and support provided to children and young people with life-shortening conditions, as well as their families.
However, it was his meeting with Hooriya that provided a different perspective on the visit.
Hooriya, who is supported by Martin House, had prepared a series of questions for the experienced interviewer, asking him about everything from his childhood to his favourite chocolate.
His answer was Revels.
Louis Theroux, documentary filmmaker and broadcaster, said: It was my first time visiting a children’s hospice and I was really impressed by the facilities. Everyone at Martin House has made me feel incredibly welcome. I really enjoyed meeting Hooriya and being interviewed by her. I’m normally the one asking the questions, so it was a bit of a role reversal – I’ve certainly never had an interview quite like it before.
The interview was filmed during the visit and has been shared on Martin House’s social media channels.
Clair Holdsworth, Chief Executive of Martin House, said the hospice was delighted to welcome Louis and show him the care and support it provides.
Clair Holdsworth, Chief Executive of Martin House, said: What really stood out was the time he took with the children and families he met. They told us afterwards how genuinely interested he was in hearing their stories and how much they valued having the opportunity to talk openly about their experiences.
For some, simply having that conversation meant a great deal, and meeting Louis will be a memory they treasure for years to come.
And of course, Hooriya did a fantastic job of turning the tables on one of the country’s best-known interviewers. We hope their conversation will give people a glimpse of the warmth, fun and personality that is such an important part of life at Martin House.
£21.9 million hospice transformation
The visit follows the completion of a £21.9 million transformation of Martin House, which has created new and improved facilities for children, young people and their families.
The improvements include a hydrotherapy pool, new bedrooms in the children’s and teenage wings, sensory spaces and enhanced clinical facilities.
Based in Boston Spa, Martin House provides specialist palliative care and support for children and young people with life-shortening conditions across West, North and East Yorkshire. Its services are delivered at the hospice, in hospitals and in families’ own homes.
The charity supports more than 550 children and young people and their families each year, alongside bereavement support for families who have experienced the death of a child.
Providing its services costs around £13 million annually, with most of the funding coming from voluntary donations and fundraising. Families do not pay for the care they receive.
Martin House has been providing specialist care since 1987 and offers services including planned short breaks, symptom management, emergency care, community care and end-of-life care.
Watch the interview on Martin House’s Instagram channel.