Respecting diversity

Acorns is committed to equality of opportunity and ensuring the needs of children, young people and families in our diverse community is met.

To achieve this we constantly work in developing our knowledge, skill and awareness of diversity issues.  The care we provide and the environment we create to give care reflects our ongoing commitment to respecting the diversity of the communities we serve.

Religious Faith and Spiritual Care

Acorns provides care and support to people from all cultures, faiths, beliefs and religions. We readily endeavour to provide the spiritual care and faith support required by the families and children who use Acorns. We provide this on an individual basis and have established links with faith leaders in the midlands. Each hospice provides items of religious and spiritual significance which are accessible to all children and families, including holy water, prayer CDs, holy books for Muslims, Sikh, Hindus and Christians. A private and appropriate place will always be provided for families wishing to pray, meditate or reflect. In the hospice we plan for and celebrate the major religious / cultural festivals and holidays each year. In respecting the diversity of the community we live in, everyone can share in the enjoyment of these special times of the year.

Acorns Asian Liaison Officer

Acorns has an Asian Liaison Officer who is able to provide ongoing support to South Asian children and families who use Acorns. The role also involves providing staff training and the publication of useful guidance for professionals who care for people from a South Asian culture.  The Asian Liaison Officer has also developed very close links with the South Asian community across the Midlands.

Our Asian Liaison Officer is also responsible for organising parents groups and outings for South Asian families, the most successful of these being the South Asian Mothers Support Group.

South Asian Mothers’ Support Group

The Asian Mothers’ Support Group has met regularly for 15 years now. Its members are both mothers caring for ill children and mothers who have lost a child. The aim of the Group is to provide the opportunity for Asian mothers to meet in a safe and supportive environment.

The Group allows these mothers to exchange stories, share experiences and pass on practical advice on care and other issues. It provides much more than mutual support though, as it generates a great deal of fun and laughter. The mothers enjoy days out and social events including, skittles, outings to Blackpool and shopping trips to London.

The Group produces a newsletter sharing information and personal stories of the mothers involved.

The Asian Mothers’ Group has provided support to over 200 Asian women, who either have a child with a life limiting illness or have had a child die. This includes some bereaved mothers who are now caring for another child with the same condition. This is what some of the women who have been involved in the group have said:

“Being a part of the Asian Mothers’ Support Group has given me the confidence to develop and expand my life.”

“When I’m feeling low I know I can pick the phone up to Hardev or one of the other mothers … so that I can feel strong and ready to face the world again.”

“I’ve made a lot of new friends … I love to attend meetings and be with these women. They understand my situation and give me strength.”

“Seeing mothers in the same boat as myself—and some in a worse situation, gave me the courage to fight on. Here in this group, I didn’t have to act strong if I didn’t want to. Listening to these mothers talking, laughing, crying, complaining, all at the same time, made me realize I was not the only one suffering. We could tell each other what was in our hearts without worrying that we would hurt anyone in the process.”