Gareth’s blog: 2024 – writing our next chapter

“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one!” 

I thought this was an apt quote as we step into 2024 and the next chapter of Forget Me Not’s story.

In 2023 we made a promise: for as long as we’re here, no family in West Yorkshire will have to face the loss of their child alone. 

Our priority in 2024 is to make sure that the charity is set up to deliver that promise today, tomorrow and in the future. To do this, we’ll be focussing on two key areas: families & finances. 

For families that we support, the challenges that they face have never been greater. They’re having to navigate an increasingly complicated health and social care system, while also dealing with the day-to-day struggles of caring for a child with complex needs and doing so in the midst of a cost of living crisis. In 2024, we’ll be looking at how we can adapt and evolve our services to do more to help families to navigate this complexity, considering their individual needs and priorities. 

Of course, in 2024, we will continue to face into the storm when it comes to funding. Just like any other organisation, business or household, our costs are rising and unfortunately we’re still facing uncertainty when it comes to NHS funding. We’ll be looking at how we can create a more sustainable funding model by growing our existing income but also by diversifying. We’ll continue to campaign locally and nationally for more consistent and equitable core funding. 

Every day, we speak to families at the most difficult times of their lives. Every story is different, and every family faces their own unique set of challenges as they take their own unique journey. 

Our job is to help them to navigate that journey, whatever their future holds and in 2024, my only focus is to make sure that we are fit for the future so that we can be here for those families when they need us. 

Here’s to a successful 2024!