Staff from Acorns Children’s Hospice were at Diglis Locks yesterday (Tuesday 30th July) launching an urgent campaign to save vital £2 million government funding as the charity faces the prospect of turning away a child in need for the first time in their 36-year history.
The future of the funding – known as the Children’s Hospice Grant – is uncertain, meaning Acorns may be forced to cut vital services for life limited children and their families, unless the grant is confirmed before November.
The charity has launched a campaign – Children’s Care Matters – calling on the Government to confirm the grant and safeguard it for at least five years, so Acorns can continue providing the range of services hundreds of local families need.
To launch the campaign this week, staff and volunteers from Acorns are taking giant orange “HELP!” letters on tour around well-known West Midlands landmarks and asking the public to add their name to a Change.org petition.
The campaign tour began by visiting the famous Bullring Bull, Birmingham on Monday (29th July) before travelling down to Diglis Locks in Worcester on Tuesday (30th July). The tour will conclude at the Saddlers Centre, Walsall on Friday (2nd July).
Acorns Executive Nurse, Katie Burbridge said: “Every week that passes, the situation for Acorns and children’s hospices across the UK becomes ever more serious, affecting countless children and families.
“We’re here to say that children’s care really does matter and the Government needs to take action to safeguard the Children’s Hospice Grant, so vital services like ours can continue providing the care that families need.”
Uncertainty around the grant has come at a challenging time for Acorns, amid a background of rising costs and increasing demand for services.
In the past year, there has been a 47% increase in demand for the charity’s end-of-life care service, and demand for post-death bereavement services have doubled.
Katie added: “Uncertainty around the grant, rising costs and increased demand is extremely challenging mix for us to deal with. It means we’re ever more reliant on the generosity of local people for funds – a situation that’s simply not sustainable.
“Whatever people can do to support our campaign, we would be incredibly grateful, so we can raise awareness of this issue and get our voice heard, before it’s too late.”
The Children’s Hospice Grant is a national £25 million NHS grant, distributed to children’s hospices across England. It makes up around 13% of Acorns income, a total of £2 million.
For Acorns to continue, the vast majority of the remaining income the charity needs comes from fundraising and profits from charity shops.
In the past year, the charity has cared for more than 750 children across the West Midlands, and supported almost 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved.
This care and support is provided from Acorns three hospices, based in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester, and in the community.
To find out more about the campaign and get involved, visit: www.acorns.org.uk/campaign