This past year has tested us in ways we could never have anticipated — as we faced rising costs and uncertainty around government funding — but it has also powerfully reminded us of who we are and why we exist.

Forget Me Not is so much more than a place where children come to die. It’s where families come to live. From the moment they receive a life-shortening diagnosis for their child, we’re there – helping them make the most of every moment – and make memories that last a lifetime.

This last year, we’ve continued to deliver truly holistic care. From short break stays and symptom control to hydrotherapy, music and sensory therapies, we help children enjoy their childhood, whatever their diagnosis. We see children who cannot speak light up at the sound of music, who cannot walk find freedom in our hydrotherapy pool, and families who come together to laugh, play, rest – and simply be.

And this support extends to the whole family – helping parents, siblings and loved ones carry the weight they bear, navigate what lies ahead, and focus on simply being there for each other.

We’re incredibly proud of the difference we’ve made – but the reality is, we still receive only a small portion of our funding from the government. The renewed children’s hospice funding for 2025/26 is welcome, but only guaranteed for the year ahead.

That’s why we continue to rely on the support of our community – through monthly giving, corporate partnerships, fundraising or gifts in wills.

Our priority now is to secure the long-term future of Forget Me Not and push for a reliable national funding model for all children’s hospices. Because no parent should face the loss of their child alone – and every family deserves the chance to make memories that will last forever.

Thank you for standing with us,

Gareth Pierce
Chief Executive
Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice

Every family we support faces their own unique set of circumstances and challenges — which is why there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach at Forget Me Not. We start with what each family needs and tailor our care and support accordingly.

Each year, we invite the families we support to take part in a survey to help shape and improve the services we offer. In our 2024 family survey, 100% of respondents said they were very satisfied with the care they receive from Forget Me Not.

Here’s what some of our families had to say:

“They are amazing in every way. Thank you so much — we know [our child] is well cared for at all times.”

And it doesn’t stop there. We also loan out our hydrotherapy pool to members of the wider community who need it — a service that offers therapeutic benefits and helps to fund the vital work we do.

“Amazing help and support given to our daughter and us. Staff develop relationships with us and that builds up the connection and support.”

But it’s not just families on our charitable caseload who benefit from our care.

We’re also using our skills, expertise and facilities to support children who would otherwise be in hospital — even when they don’t need to be. This work not only supports more families, but also helps relieve pressure on an overstretched NHS.

In fact, last year alone we delivered 4,890 hours of funded placement care — specialist care funded through statutory channels, enabling us to reach more children and families while supporting our charitable work.