Grace house report 2014 2015

Annual report 1st May 2014 to 30th April 2015

At Grace House, our mission is to make a truly positive difference to the lives of disabled children and their families by providing high quality services that offer support, opportunity, care, challenge and adventure. Our priorities are • to provide overnight short breaks on a

planned, regular basis for children and

young people with complex disabilities,

health needs and life limiting conditions

• to develop an ambitious programme of

additional opportunities and services that

support and benefit the whole family

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Children with complex disabilities, health needs and life limiting conditions will come to Grace House and have the time of their lives and their families will get to take a break and recharge their batteries.

The key to our success will be making full use of our stunning, purpose-built facilities, having the best range of specialist equipment, investing in a team of highly committed, well trained staff and having a positive attitude that anything is possible.

What do families that will use Grace House think?

ine, be “For Jasm means she could ant e doesn’t w s u e way! Sh much of Grace Ho d o o o to g r a us, in sees fa e m h o s fr to mix d y n a a aw he needs e time, S . th le ll p a o d e n er p chieve us arou ugh of oth which is hard to a o n e t a o n thing out to te us and t invited ers, some e e g r p e r ’t e n th h s o e h wit he do vers as r basis. S e sleepo la v o u T a h g r. e ’t re h n a s on sets nd doe and it up friends a alises this e should lose out with her re e in m n sh do. Jas l space sn’t mea children e physica rent doe th fe s a if h d ir o le ls wheelcha ouse a be a litt . Grace H ove around in her n e in fu m e s a th m s. J on all le of room , and be able to p u to o s c d a e e em she n onfined to lly liked th f being c ff and rea because , ta s w e instead o ie v th f f o o t e in o m o p s r e time m ou has met ed to hav rtant. Fro e o n p e im w , ry eries is 24/7 that’s ve e our batt en Jasmine rg r a e h ft c a re g le to ave se lookin as a coup use we h s o e H lv e e c rs u ra to o g. We are At G how carin together. d e n b a t be s re ju a and fter and e staff looked a ssional th e fe b l ro il p .” w re w e e ho t Jasmin happy th confiden

Annual report | 1st May 2014 to 30th April 2015

ed to y excit se as it r e v “I am race Hou e lity tim sG acces o have qua Jack me t dren, allows other chil e House y m Grac with d in to o be very le t t e has s ems t nd se “ well a ppy there. ha

“Grace House is the missing link in the North East for children like our daughter, Abigail. This facility would allow our whole family to embrace true respite, knowing that Abigail is happy and content. Having visited Grace House and experienced the warmth of the staff, and seeing the brilliant facility we know how happy Abigail will be. She took an instant shine to the surroundings and has constantly talked about Grace House. We know that she will be very happy, which means our family will be

happy! This is an inspirational facility!”

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Thank you to all our supporters We are indebted to everyone who continues to support Grace House in so many different ways. In 2014-15, your combined efforts generated £379,788. Our supporters include Friends’ Groups, organisations, individuals and corporate partners who adopt us as their charity of the year. Income is generated in many different ways, including applying for grants from Trusts, running our own events, supporters who set up regular giving, provide gifts in kind, make donations in lieu of flowers and set up legacies. We also support others with their own fundraising ideas including coffee mornings, raffles and collections, golf days and personal challenges. We are constantly surprised, touched and inspired by supporters who push themselves to the limit doing sponsored events that challenge them and inspire others.

Our volunteers also deserve a mention, as they contribute so much to the charity. This year, they gave 617 hours of their time to help us achieve our objectives.

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In 2014-15 we spent £278,029. 81% of this went towards our work to establish a short break service for children and young people with complex disabilities, health needs and life limiting conditions. We transformed the building from a beautiful but empty shell, into a warm, welcoming home from home. A further 14% was used to generate revenue – for example, there is a cost to running some of our fundraising events. The final 5% was used for governing the charity, which includes audit, accountancy and professional fees.

Annual report | 1st May 2014 to 30th April 2015

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Meet the team The Board of Trustees have overall responsibility for the charity. They meet regularly and oversee the organisation’s finances, plans and priorities. The Trustees have a range of skills, qualifications and experience suited to running the charity effectively.

They delegate day to day running of Grace House to Karen the CEO and her team. The team are made up of Karen, the senior fundraiser, Jemma the Office and Facilities manager, Sheila the administrator and John who takes care of the building and gardens. They are supported by a team of dedicated volunteers, who are coordinated by Lesley.

Overnight short breaks at Grace House will be provided

by Sunderland Care and Support, who we work in partnership with. The service is managed by Lisa, and she is supported by a team of care staff.

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A message from the Chairman, David Cook and the Board of Trustees. Reflecting on 2014-15 This has been a year of transformation and change.

Some things came to an end, and in December, founder and Chief Officer Kathy Secker retired, and as Chairman I wish to convey my thanks to her for the twelve years of hard work and dedication on behalf of Grace House. There were also new beginnings as we appointed a new Chief Executive and began our partnership with Sunderland Care and Support. They share our vision of Grace House becoming a Regional Centre of Excellence and we have a three year strategy to work together to make that a reality. Behind the scenes a lot of hard work has been going on to turn a fantastic building into a fully functioning service for children with complex disabilities, health needs and life limiting conditions. I am happy to say that we are on track to be operational from July 2015 and look forward to welcoming the Ofsted inspectors as part of the registration process to provide overnight care. It is an exciting time for everyone involved with Grace House.

Annual report | 1st May 2014 to 30th April 2015

An introduction to new CEO, Dr Karen Parry. Plans for 2015-16 I am delighted to have been asked to join the Grace House team at such an exciting time. There has been a flurry of activity and an exciting buzz at Grace House as specialist equipment, furniture, toys, play equipment, books and games are ordered and delivered.

Most of our equipment comes from specialist companies who are experts at adapting everyday activities to meet the needs of children with complex disabilities, health needs and life limiting conditions. Our aim is to make every room a bright, stimulating environment, geared up for fun, adventure, opportunities and new experiences.

We have big ambitions for 2015-16. We plan to run a music therapy programme, work with sports coaches to give our disabled children more access to fun physical activities, and to bring artists, musicians and storytellers in to create a colourful, magical world where children can let their creativity and imaginations run wild. We will support around 100 families each year, and with your ongoing support we will be able to make a huge difference to the lives of disabled children.

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Thank you from the Chairman and board of trustees, the CEO, staff, volunteers and everyone at Grace House.

How to donate You can support the work of Grace House in many ways. You can make a regular monthly donation or a one off donation. You can participate in one of our fundraising events, or think up one of your own. Our fundraiser will give you advice and support to make your idea a success.

You can find out more by calling 0191 525 2885 or visiting www.gracehouse.co.uk

Volunteering We have lots of diverse opportunities for people to volunteer at Grace House including staffing reception, facilitating sessions in the sensory room, helping at fundraising events and keeping the gardens looking their best for the children to enjoy. Get in touch to find out more.

Using the services at Grace House Usually families are referred to Grace House for short breaks by a professional who is already involved in their child’s care. This usually follows a social work or health assessment, but the process can vary depending which Local Authority area you live in. Please talk to us about your individual circumstances and needs and we will do our best to help you through the referral process.

And don’t forget, you are always welcome to arrange to come and have a look around before you decide whether you would like to be referred.