Parents of people we support now share an overwhelming sense of reassurance about the future. In parent meetings and surveys, 85 per cent were confident of our long-term positive impact, with their pre-merger anxieties largely dissipated.
There was also positive feedback on the increased opportunities we can offer following the merger, with the cultural or religious wishes, and life choices, of those accessing our services considered and respected.
This reflects our new organisational values, laid down by staff and trustees, of Respect, Integrity, Community and Excellence. These principles, given the acronym RICE, sit alongside behavioural standards demonstrating our shared ideals.
These have been pivotal in addressing issues where standards have not been at the level expected, leading to our decision over the summer to close certain college sites. These same values will be central as we address other challenges in the coming year.
Despite a period of great transition and upheaval, the healthy, positive and forward-thinking friendly culture created has attracted high-calibre new starters to our now £24m charity.
Generous-spirited people like you responded accordingly, raising a record-breaking £2.2m in our 36-hour On Top of the World matched fundraising campaign in March, helping us to reach £4m, our largest-ever fundraising target.
However, among other factors, the new Chancellor’s decisions are adversely impacting our current £20m statutory funding, and we will need £4.4m from the community this coming year just to continue what we are doing.
This is without even addressing the large call on our limited reserves following the cash flow impact after the horrific events in Israel on 7 October, and the ongoing consequences.
At this important time of reflection and renewal, I pay tribute to each one of you who have gone the extra mile in helping us achieve such positive change, and ask that you join with us in the year ahead to help realise our shared vision of ensuring people we support thrive in 5785.
Wishing you Shana Tova and a healthy, happy and sweet New Year.
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