Acorns Children’s Hospice 23/24 review

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides care, support, fun and laughter for children and their families across the West Midlands.

We have three children’s hospices:
• Acorns in Birmingham (located in Selly Oak) opened in 1988
• Acorns in the Black Country (located in Walsall) opened in 2000.
• Acorns for the Three Counties (located in Worcester) opened in 2005.

The hospices are purpose-built with specially decorated bedrooms designed to cater for children and young people from birth to 18 years of age. They are designed to be a homely environment to help children enjoy their stay and make the most of every day.

On-site hospice facilities include hydrotherapy pools and spas, multisensory rooms, complementary therapy rooms, and play and activity areas with up-to-date IT equipment and games. The hospices have landscaped gardens, designed to provide a safe and secure environment for children and families to have fun, reflect and enjoy the outdoors. There are designated areas for older children and teenagers ensure privacy and a managed level of independence. Alongside separate on-site accommodation for families allows them to stay with their child if they wish.

The hospices have ‘special bedrooms’ in a separate area within the building where children can stay after they have died. The ‘special bedroom’ can be personalised by families and are a place where they can pay final respects and make precious memories before their child’s funeral.

In the past year, Acorns supported 732 children and 945 families from across the West Midlands and Gloucestershire, including those who have been bereaved:
• 268 children and 359 families at Acorns in Birmingham
• 230 children and 271 families at Acorns in the Black Country
• 235 children and 315 families at Acorns for the Three Counties

Acorns has supported 1,945 individual family members, including children, brothers and sisters, parents, carers and grandparents. This is an increase of 388 on the previous year.

At Acorns we provide care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to children and families who need us most. Over the past year we’ve achieved so much thanks to the kindness and generosity of our Childlife supporters. On behalf of the children and families we support, thank you so much.

Christina is the Interim Head of Public Fundraising at Childlife member charity, Acorns Children’s Hospice