Impact Report 2015/2016 | Page 2

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.