right time
to reflect
T
his is the sixth Impact Report and
represents a year that has not been
without its challenges. In the Autumn
our Chief Executive, David Strudley,
highlighted the potential impact a
reduction in our income would have on the
services we provide.
We are now at a point where we are
continuing to do all we can to secure a path
to financial stability, whilst at the same
time still providing vital care and support
to our children and their families. It is right
then that we should reflect on our work
and ask – are we making a difference?
This report aims to answer that question
with a resounding ‘yes’, but we must
continually challenge ourselves as an
organisation to review what we do to
make sure we’re making a difference to the
children and families that need Acorns.
We are increasingly engaging with our
health and social care partners to make
the case for equitable funding. The
majority of our income comes from the
2
public, but the statutory sector must
meet its responsibilities too. Without this,
we will not be able to meet our aims and
will be failing families.
In the last year we have also continued to
respond to an increasing demand for our
services, by offering flexibility and choice
in the way we provide our care. But there
is still a lot more we can do.
If we are to meet our goal of caring for 200
more children by the end of the decade,
the need to demonstrate the impact we
are making has never been greater. I hope
that this report does just that.
I would like to offer a very sincere thank
you to all our amazing supporters, staff
and volunteers, without
whom none of what we
do would be possible.
David Butcher,
Chairman
Our vision
Every child and young person living
in our region that is life limited or life
threatened and their families should
receive the specialist care and support
they need.
Our mission
To provide holistic, specialist, palliative
care services to children, young people
and their families in our region. We will
deliver these services in partnership
with others wherever possible, while
championing the cause of palliative care
for children and young people.
Our values
Acorns, a responsive and innovative
organisation that puts children and
young people and their families first in
all of its services, whilst embracing the
diversity of its regional communities and
demonstrating integrity and quality in
everything it does.