Today (Friday 29 November) MPs voted in favour of a bill to allow assisted dying.

At Acorns, our position is that this change in law must include a guarantee that quality palliative care is properly funded and available to all who need it – whoever they are and wherever they live.

We call on the Government to ensure palliative care organisations are properly consulted as part of this change in law. Without this, we risk stumbling into legislation that has not had the benefit of such expert input and will miss the opportunity to open a wider conversation about choice and control for individuals nearing the end of their life.

Access to palliative care in the UK is inconsistent and the organisations that provide these essential services are unsustainably funded. Any decision on assisted dying must address the ongoing uncertainties these vital services face.

Whilst the debate so far has been focused mainly on the potential impact on adults over the age of 18 – this change in law has implications for young people and the services that support them, as care pathways to transition from these services often start at age 14.

We support the position of Together for Short Lives (TfSL) that there are important physical, emotional and psychological differences between young people and older adults that any new legislation must address. Parliament must consider appropriate safeguarding measures, while also ensuring young people still have the essential ability to choose their own care.

Regardless of any changes in legislation in this area, our mission will remain the same; that every child or young person who needs us will be given the highest level of clinical care and compassion and their families will be supported, for as long as needed.

As the nation wakes up to a new government, families cared for by Acorns across the West Midlands and Gloucestershire remain in a precarious position.

Caring for a child with complex needs can cause immense pressures on families. Acorns exists to help take the strain, and for many families that we care for that means literally pulling them back from the brink.

To imagine a future where a service like ours no longer exists, leaving families completely alone; it doesn’t bear thinking about.  

However, because of ongoing funding challenges, that is the reality Acorns and the UK’s children’s hospices are facing.

Across the sector, a key source of our income – the ringfenced, £25 million Children’s Hospice Grant is at risk, meaning children’s hospices will be unable to deliver the range of essential services families rely-on.

The grant is confirmed this year, but the picture after this is unclear and questions remain about how much (if any) of the current grant children’s hospices will receive.

Without this guarantee, right now Acorns and many other children’s hospice providers are being forced to make difficult decisions about cutting vital services.

As the new government is formed, and Sir Keir Starmer selects his cabinet, this is the primary issue our sector wants firmly on the agenda. We owe it to the countless children and families across the UK who rely on our services, before it’s too late.

We are calling on the new government to protect and maintain the Children’s Hospice Grant as a directly distributed, ringfenced grant, so Acorns, and every children’s hospice in England can continue providing the care children and families desperately need.

To give Acorns and local families the assurances we need, we are also asking the government to guarantee the Children’s Hospice Grant for at least five years and increase it by the rate of inflation, every year. 

By guaranteeing this funding, it will allow Acorns to be there for every child and family who needs us. Please consider campaigning for Acorns to help spread the word.

Download our template letter and contact your new local MP to ask them what steps they would take to ensure Acorns and our vital work is protected, now and forever.  

Trevor Johnson,
Acorns Chief Executive  

www.acorns.org.uk/campaign 

You might not find the kitchen sink at a Birmingham charity’s huge new superstore but you’ll find everything else – from designer fashion and children’s toys to homeware and even a washing machine!

Acorns Children’s Hospice is opened its biggest-ever shop in Erdington today (Thursday 27 March) in the former Boots retail unit on High Street.

And as these images show, the shop boasts top-quality pre-loved items for all the family at bargain prices.

Gary Pettit, Director of Retail at Acorns, said: “This is a big moment for Acorns – we’re thrilled to open not just our biggest ever superstore but our first shop in the Erdington community.

“Shoppers will find our complete range of pre-loved items, plus more bargains than before all under one roof.

“Come and take a look at what Acorns Erdington has to offer and celebrate as we make our Erdington debut.”

Acorns biggest ever shop

Acorns Erdington superstore measures nearly 5,000 square feet and is home to top-quality fashion, shoes, accessories, toys, books, homeware and furniture.

The shop will play an important role in raising vital funds towards the charity’s care for children with life limiting and life threatening conditions and is one of Acorns 45 shops across the West Midlands.

Gary added: “Whether you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe, treat your child or renovate a room, our superstores have everything you need! And remember, proceeds from every item sold will help us continue to be there for local children and families.

“Help can’t wait for families who are in urgent need of our lifeline care and support. Thanks to people shopping at Acorns, we can continue to raise the funds we need to ensure no family caring for a life limited or life threatened child ever faces their journey alone. Together, we are stronger.”

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for babies, children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions, and support for their families.

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.

Acorns needs around £30,000 each day to provide its children’s hospice care, with two thirds of that amount coming from generous donations and fundraising by the local community.

To find your nearest Acorns shop, visit our find your shop page.

Mum Sam Barklam reveals how support from Acorns helps local families like hers.

“I’ll never forget that first visit from Acorns, it was just like an angel was coming to help me.” For mum Sam, the visit came at a time when the world was crashing down. Her own mum had passed away, her marriage was ending, and her baby boy Alex had been diagnosed with a life threatening condition. “I was just so frightened,” she said. “Those first 12 months were the worst in my entire life. I don’t know how I made it through.”

A woman and little boy hold a cuddly lion toy. The boy is snuggling his face into the lion. They are both smiling

Today, Alex is a cheeky and affectionate four-year-old – he loves frogs and frog noises and enjoys watching the neighbourhood dogs going for a walk.

Alex has Smith Lemli Opitz Syndrome, a rare genetic condition, that affects the organs and can cause severe intellectual and behavioural difficulties.

Sam’s referral to Acorns came at the perfect time. She had been going weeks without proper sleep, juggling home life, caring for Alex and looking after young daughter Elisabeth, below with Acorns Sibling Worker Jess.

Sam said: “I didn’t believe that there were actually people out there that could help me. I genuinely don’t know what I’d have done without Acorns. I didn’t know how much longer I would have been able to live like that. They literally lifted me up from rock bottom.”

Acorns provides support in every way

Sam’s first visit to Acorns in the Black Country was an experience she describes as ‘simply amazing’.

“It just took away all the pressures of the life and gave me a break,” she said. “It just doesn’t feel like a hospice, and it’s so comforting when you get there. All the staff who work there are amazing, and they’re always so friendly and kind.”

Now Acorns is an important part of the family.

“Acorns has helped me in all aspects; emotionally, physically and mentally. They got involved when I was at my absolute lowest and was physically and mentally exhausted. They just scooped me up and helped get me back on the straight and narrow. They are brilliant,” she added.

While the future for Alex is uncertain, Sam is determined to ‘make the most of every single day’; and with the help of Acorns, they’ll do just that.

A woman wearing an Acorns staff badge helps an excited girl build a tall tower of building blocks
Alex's sister Elisabeth with Acorns Sibling Worker Jess

Help us be there when families like Sam’s need us

It costs over £35,000 each day to provide Acorns lifeline care and support for families. With your help, we can make sure families caring for a child with a life limiting or life threatening condition never face their journey alone.

Become a regular giver

‘Make your extra day count and help us ensure lifeline care for local families never stops!’ – That’s the passionate plea from Acorns Children’s Hospice this Leap Year.

The charity is calling on the public to help it fund an additional day of care for children with life limiting and life threatening conditions this February 29.

It costs around £30,000 a day to run Acorns three hospices and provide its vital care and support. To help cover the cost of providing its services this Leap Day, the charity has launched a special appeal.

There are many ways you can support Acorns in the countdown to Leap Day, from running for Acorns at Birmingham Running Festival and making a direct donation, to creating your own fundraiser or supporting Acorns at work.

Acorns Chief Executive Trevor Johnson said: “Our children’s hospice care never takes a day off. The reassurance that we are here for children and families whenever they need us provides genuine comfort. Leap Years are no different.

“For Acorns, this means we must raise an additional day’s funding to deliver our specialist care and support. We only can be there for families with the help of our local communities. So, please, make your extra day count this Leap Year, you’ll be helping us make sure our lifeline care never stops.”

Acorns Children’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care for babies, children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions and support for their families.

In the past year, the charity has cared for more than 750 children across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, and almost 1,000 families, including those who are bereaved.

Acorns needs around £30,000 each day to provide its children’s hospice care, with two thirds of that amount coming from generous donations and fundraising by the local community.

Help us be stronger together on the extra day and all year round by making a donation to Acorns.