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2025-04-05-accounts

•orover C ollrs children s hospice

CONTENTS

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Legal and Administrative Information

Charity name:

Forever Colours Children’s Hospice

Registered charity number:

1191073

Registered address:

Westlington Lodge, Oxford Road, Dinton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8TX

Bankers:

Lloyds Bank, 25 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7HN

Independent Examiner:

Claire Hazell, Community Accountant, Community360

Accountant:

Annemarie Rigby, Simply Consults

Trustees:

J Bowman (appointed 28 August 2020)

E B N Charvet (appointed 28 August 2020, Chair from 1 April 2022) R H Hamlin (appointed 4 August 2022)

CHAIRMAN'S SPEECH

As Chair of Forever Colours Children’s Hospice, I am proud to present our Annual Report for the financial year 2024–25 - a year that has reflected the true spirit of this pioneering charity: bold, compassionate, and unwaveringly child- and family-focused.

At the heart of Forever Colours is a promise: that no child living with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition, and no family walking this journey, should ever feel alone. This year, that promise has reached more homes, more families, more siblings, and more carers than ever before.

We have seen phenomenal growth, not just in numbers, but in depth, connection, and innovation. Over 150 children and young people were supported by our team this year, alongside more than 600 family members. Our services have expanded to meet increasing complexity: from highly adaptive specialist play and bereavement support to parent groups, inclusive family events, and meaningful collaborations with schools and professionals across Buckinghamshire.

Financially, 2024–25 marked a turning point. With the continued support of our community, corporate partners, funders, and founding donor Centricus, we ended the year with a healthy cash surplus, significantly strengthening the financial position of the charity and giving us the confidence to invest in our future.

But perhaps more than anything, what defines this year is family. It is in the stories we’ve shared like that of Rhys, whose joy and confidence shine despite enormous health challenges; or Elkai, whose smile lights up every room he enters; or Freiya, whose memory continues to inspire everything we do. Their journeys are a powerful reminder of why this charity exists.

I would like to thank every supporter, funder, partner, and volunteer who has made this year possible. I especially thank our team for their vision, their care, and their relentless belief in every child and family we serve.

As we look ahead to 2025–26, we remain committed to pioneering new approaches, deepening our impact, and ensuring that family, play, and dignity are at the heart of every moment we share.

Thank you for standing with us.

Ed Charvet

CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

FOUNDERS SPEECH

This year has been one of profound growth, resilience, and transformation for Forever Colours Children’s Hospice.

As Founders, and now Co-Chief Executive Officers, we are incredibly proud to reflect on a year where our mission came to life in more powerful ways than ever before holding more families in our care, extending our reach, and deepening the impact of everything we do.

Forever Colours was born from a promise: that no child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition should feel invisible, and no family should walk this journey alone. That promise has driven every decision, every service, every act of care. And this year, it has carried us further than ever before.

We supported over 150 babies, children, and young people and more than 600 parents, siblings, and grandparents. These aren’t just numbers, they are lives filled with moments of laughter, love, and shared humanity. They are families like Rhys’, who rediscovered joy through sensory play; or Elkai’s, who finally felt included; or Freiya’s, who found light and beauty even in the hardest of times.

Our Specialist Play Team delivered over 350 play sessions, each one uniquely adapted to children’s communication styles, medical needs, and emotional wellbeing. For many families, these moments are the only times their child is not just a patient but a child.

Our Family Support Team has grown into a vital service of advocacy and stability — supporting urgent housing needs, securing emergency grants, participating in multi-agency safeguarding meetings, and walking families through moments of real crisis with care and compassion.

We’ve hosted over 76 inclusive family events, including cinema nights, parent discos, sibling days, summer fairs, and themed celebrations that bring connection, laughter, and relief. These events offer families space to simply be, to rest, to play, to heal.

And as the demand for our services grows, we have matched it with innovation and resilience. We strengthened our financial systems, improved forecasting, and introduced new oversight structures — resulting in a significantly improved financial position. We are grateful to our founding supporters like Centricus, as well as new partners and trusts who believe in our work and help make it possible.

FOUNDERS SPEECH

We also expanded our voice. A dedicated Marketing Officer has helped us grow our online reach, share powerful stories, and position Forever Colours as a leading voice in children’s palliative care across Buckinghamshire and beyond.

What remains unchanged and always will is our commitment to families. Every home visit, every group session, every moment of play or comfort or grief these are sacred. It is our privilege to be invited into families’ most intimate and vulnerable moments. And we never take that for granted.

We enter the year ahead with energy, clarity, and hope. Forever Colours is not just surviving, it is thriving. And we will continue to grow, to advocate, and to create space for joy, love, and dignity, even in the most complex and painful of times.

Thank you for walking with us.

Victoria and Hayley

FOUNDERS

ABOUT FOREVER COLOURS

Forever Colours Children’s Hospice is a family centred, community rooted charity based in Buckinghamshire. We provide specialist care and support to babies, children, and young people living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, including children with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Our services extend to the whole family, offering a safe, supportive space during the most challenging of times.

Founded in 2018, our mission is to provide holistic, compassionate care that prioritises the emotional and physical wellbeing of each child and family we support. Our support includes:

We are guided by families’ voices and experiences, and we continue to evolve in response to what families tell us they need. At Forever Colours, care does not stop, it adapts, it listens, and it stands with families, every step of the way.

OUR CULTURE AND VALUES

As we move into a new year, Forever Colours Children’s Hospice remains firmly grounded in the values that continue to shape and guide everything we do. These values Family, Community, Child-Centred, and Holistic were carefully adopted following in-depth discussion at our Annual General Meeting and have now become deeply embedded in our culture, practice, and decision-making.

Over the past year, we have seen these values in action every single day.

• Family: We’ve provided wraparound support not only to the children in our care but to their parents, carers, and siblings. Whether through emotional support during times of crisis, or inclusive family outings tailored to specific needs, our commitment to the entire family unit has remained Committed

• Community: We’ve continued to build strong partnerships with local organisations, healthcare professionals, and volunteers, ensuring families feel connected and supported beyond hospice services. Our outreach work and community events have helped to reduce isolation and create shared moments of joy and understanding.

• Child-Centred: Every aspect of our care is designed around the individual needs, wishes, and best interests of each child. This year, our Play Specialist service has grown significantly, offering more personalised, therapeutic play sessions to help children express themselves and experience joy.

• Holistic: We continue to take a whole-person approach. Our work addresses not only physical health needs but also emotional, social, and practical concerns including advocacy, help with complex paperwork, bereavement care, and wellbeing support.

OUR CULTURE AND VALUES

We know that living our values requires more than just intention it takes action, structure, and strong leadership. We remain committed to high standards of governance and management to ensure our care is safe, effective, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

To uphold this, the charity has:

• Protected time for staff and volunteer training, supervision, coaching, and appraisals, ensuring continuous learning and growth.

• Regularly reviewed and refined practice to respond to feedback and evolving needs.

• Kept policies and procedures including Safeguarding, Lone Working, and Whistleblowing fully up to date and fit for purpose.

• Strengthened collaboration between Directors and Trustees, aligning our governance with the day-to-day realities of our work, and ensuring shared clarity on the charity’s strategic direction.

Our Trustees continue to champion a culture of compassion, safety, and excellence. With a clear understanding of how a responsive and inclusive charity must operate, they play a key role in shaping our future while honouring our mission.

As we begin 2024, we remain reflective of what we’ve achieved and committed to growing from it. The values we adopted are not just words on paper; they are the framework by which we deliver Through every child’s smile, every family supported, and every lesson learned, our culture is alive, and it continues to move us forward.

OUR VISION AND MISSION

Forever Colours Children’s Hospice is a familycentred, community-rooted charity based in Buckinghamshire. We provide specialist care and support to babies, children, and young people living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, as well as those with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Our services extend to the whole family, offering a safe, supportive space during the most challenging of times.

Since our founding in 2018, our mission has remained clear: to offer holistic, compassionate care that prioritises the emotional and physical wellbeing of every family we support. Our approach combines practical assistance with emotional support including Play Specialism, advocacy and signposting, tailored sibling and parent support, individualised care, group activities, and dedicated end-of-life and bereavement services.

At Forever Colours, the child is at the heart of everything we do and we wrap our support around the whole family. Our work is responsive and personal, shaped by what each family needs, when they need it. Whether it's helping to navigate complex medical paperwork, creating moments of joy through accessible day trips, or walking alongside a family after the loss of a child, we remain committed to delivering care that truly makes a difference.

We are guided by the voices and experiences of the families we supoort, and we’re continually evolving to meet their needs. At Forever Colours, care doesn’t stop it adapts, it listens, and it stands with families, every step of the way.

CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES

Forever Colours Children’s Hospice is a registered charity (No. 1191073) with purposes clearly set out by the Charity Commission. These objectives guide all our activities and ensure public benefit is delivered across every service we provide.

Public benefit delivery in 2024 to 2025

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

At Forever Colours, we don’t just deliver service we listen, adapt, and respond. From the beginning, our goal has been to step into the spaces where families are often left unsupported not to replicate what already exists, but to fill the gaps with services that are thoughtful, flexible, and truly needed.

This year has been no exception. We’ve continued to shape our work around real-life experiences and unmet needs, placing families at the centre of every decision. Whether it's at the moment of diagnosis, during complex treatment journeys, or after the death of a child, we ensure our support reflects each family's unique preferences, culture, and values.

We understand that care is not one-size-fits-all. That's why we offer a responsive, family-led model, using child and family outcome measures to inform bespoke support plans. These tools allow us to track what matters most to each family empowering them to set their own goals, and enabling us to walk beside them with purpose and intention.

We are committed to preserving dignity and compassion throughout a child’s life and beyond. This includes proactive conversations about end-of-life preferences, helping families feel informed, heard, and supported during the most vulnerable moments of their journey.

A key part of this commitment has been our continued Cold Blanket Loan Service a vital and underresourced area in after-death care. By offering families access to cold blankets at home or in clinical settings, we provide time and space for goodbye that is private, peaceful, and personal.

This year, demand for our services has grown significantly with referrals exceeding expectations. Yet through this growth, we have remained deeply committed to our values and the integrity of our care. Every new referral represents a child and family who trusts us to hold space for them. That responsibility continues to shape how we evolve.

From a grassroots hospice-at-home project, Forever Colours has grown into a recognised and trusted provider of child and family hospice care across Buckinghamshire. Our services now reach more children, across more stages of their journey, than ever before.

Our sights remain firmly set on the horizon. We are actively exploring new collaborations with health and social care providers, education teams, community groups, and other charities working together to ensure that every family who needs support can access it, without barriers or delays.

At its heart, Forever Colours exists to make sure no child or family walks this road alone. With compassion as our foundation and innovation as our path forward, we will continue to build services that make a meaningful difference where, when, and how families need us most.

OUR CARE

At Forever Colours, we are proud to support over 150 referred babies, children, and young people living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions but our work extends far beyond the individual.

When we support a child, we support the entire family, recognising the unique needs of parents, siblings, carers, and extended relatives. In total, we currently provide care, guidance, and emotional support to more than 600 individuals across

Buckinghamshire. Among them, we are honoured to walk alongside 15 bereaved families, offering compassionate, long-term

support as they navigate life after death. Whether through play, advocacy, end-oflife care, or post-bereavement support, we remain committed to being there for every family, every step of the way.

BRINGING OUR MISSION TO LIFE: SPECIALIST PLAY

At Forever Colours, these objectives are not just statements — they shape everything we do. In 2024–25, our services supported over 150 children and young people, and over 600 family members. Every family we work with receives support tailored to their unique journey — from the point of referral, through care and advocacy, and beyond.

We delivered more than 350 one-to-one Specialist Play sessions this year, many for children who are nonverbal, bed-bound, or living with sensory impairments. These sessions provided powerful opportunities for expression, regulation, and joy.

“The play sessions have been a lifeline for our daughter. She can’t speak or move much on her own, but the team always finds a way to connect.”

In 2024, Specialist Play has continued to be at the heart of the care we provide at Forever Colours but this year, it has grown into something even more impactful. We've expanded the service, reached more children than ever before, and introduced new group-based sessions that are supporting children not just emotionally, but socially as well.

This year, we delivered more Specialist Play sessions than in any previous year, a reflection of both growing demand and our commitment to meet it. Through an increase in both one-to-one support and group work, we've been able to connect with children at every stage of their journey.

From sensory storytelling to creative art sessions, therapeutic role play to calming music engagement, our play specialists have tailored experiences to each child’s unique needs offering a safe, expressive, and imaginative outlet.

While one-to-one sessions continue to be a vital foundation, we’ve taken bold steps this year to introduce group sessions as a natural progression for many of the children we support.

One of our most successful additions has been the Sensory Sweet Group a nurturing, inclusive space for children under five. This group brings together little ones who have previously received individual support, giving them the chance to explore play in a shared setting, strengthen their communication skills, and build relationships with other children.

"The Sensory Sweet group has been magical my son has started talking more, laughing more, and asking when he’s going back to see his 'play friends'.” (Parent)

BRINGING OUR MISSION TO LIFE: SPECIALIST PLAY

Group play has provided the next stage of growth for many children allowing them to develop independence, build friendships, and reduce reliance on adult-led interaction. These sessions foster peer connection, promote social confidence, and give children the tools to thrive emotionally and socially.

Throughout 2024, our sessions have continued to help children process emotions like grief, fear, anxiety, and frustration in safe and supportive ways. By using play as a therapeutic language, children are given the opportunity to express themselves when words feel too hard.

This year’s Specialist Play service has focused on:

• Shared Family Experiences: Running inclusive sessions that bring siblings and parents into the play journey.

In addition to structured play sessions, we hosted a variety of themed play events throughout the year from our Spring Fling to Halloween Play Days and festive Winter Wonderland gatherings. These events gave families the chance to come together, celebrate, and experience joy in a supportive environment.

As our Specialist Play service continues to evolve, we remain committed to creating spaces where children can feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves. Our vision is to keep building pathways from individual support to group engagement that allow children to grow emotionally, socially, and confidently into the world around them.

IMPACT STORY

When 10-year-old J was referred to Forever Colours, his world had already been turned upside down. Diagnosed with a rare degenerative condition, J had recently transitioned from attending school full-time to being mostly housebound due to increasing medical needs. A once bubbly, curious child who loved football and making people laugh, J had become withdrawn, frustrated, and frequently overwhelmed.

His parents, balancing the demands of his complex care and their own emotional exhaustion, described feeling as though they were "watching the light fade" from their son's eyes. They longed to give him moments of joy again moments where he could just be a child, not a patient.

That’s where Forever Colours stepped in.

J began receiving regular one-to-one sessions with our Specialist play team at home, tailored around his physical abilities and emotional needs. The sessions combined sensory play, storytelling, adapted games, and creativity, all designed to reintroduce fun, spark imagination, and give J back a sense of control and choice.

IMPACT STORY

In one session, J was supported to write and illustrate a story where he was the superhero strong, brave, and unstoppable. This became a weekly project. Each chapter he created gave him a new outlet for expressing his fears, his dreams, and his incredible sense of humour. His parents said it was the first time in months they had heard him laugh freely.

Beyond play, Forever Colours also supported J’s family as a whole. His younger sister attended sibling support sessions, where she could talk about her feelings and feel seen in her own right. His parents received help navigating difficult conversations with medical professionals and were offered time to simply talk without judgment about their fears for the future.

By the end of the summer, J had not only finished his superhero book complete with hand-drawn illustrations but also expressed a desire to share it with other children going through similar journeys. He now plans to help us create a special library of stories written by children like him.

J’s mum recently told us:

"When everything felt heavy, you brought light back into our son's world. The laughter, the stories, and the spark in his eyes they’ve meant more than we can ever say."

"We didn’t realise how much we’d missed his laughter until you brought it back. Thank you for helping us”

This is what Forever Colours is here for to meet each child and family where they are, and walk beside them with compassion, creativity, and care. J’s story is just one example of how specialist, holistic support can transform the experience of children with life-limiting conditions and bring hope where it’s needed most.

BRINGING OUR MISSION TO LIFE: FAMILY SUPPORT

Our Family Support Team helped 113 families navigate housing challenges, emergency care needs, financial hardship, and emotional stress — attending more than 80 safeguarding and multi-agency meetings on behalf of families.

“I now have a house I can call home – and that is down to you. I am so grateful.”

At Forever Colours, family support isn’t just a service it’s a relationship built on trust, consistency, and compassion. As the number of referrals continues to rise, our role in helping families navigate life-altering circumstances has never been more vital.

From the moment a family is referred, they’re welcomed by a dedicated Family Support Worker often the first friendly face in a time of crisis. Their role goes far beyond a point of contact. They become an advocate, a guide, and a trusted presence throughout the family's journey.

Whether supporting through diagnosis, coordinating care, or offering guidance after a bereavement, our Family Support Workers walk alongside families until the young person turns 19, or for up to three years after loss.

Every family is different in circumstance, culture, and emotional need. That’s why our support is never offthe-shelf. This year, we've further embedded a priority-based assessment framework to ensure families receive timely, proportionate, and personalised care.

From practical interventions such as assisting with housing issues, benefits, or education access to emotional and psychological support, we’ve helped families through some of the most difficult chapters of their lives.

Whether over the phone, at home, or within clinical settings, we’ve made it our mission to meet families where they are both literally and emotionally.

An essential part of our work involves ensuring families are not left navigating systems alone. Our Family Support Workers play a pivotal role in multi-agency collaboration, regularly attending Children in Need (CIN) and other safeguarding meetings, where complex decisions about care and support are made.

By being in the room, we make sure that the family’s voice is heard clearly and compassionately and that their lived experience helps shape the decisions that affect their lives.

BRINGING OUR MISSION TO LIFE: FAMILY SUPPORT

This year, we’ve contributed to dozens of coordinated care plans, ensuring that social services, health providers, educators, and other professionals work together seamlessly. Our insights help keep care familycentred, emotionally informed, and practical in real-world terms.

One standout example of our impact this year involved a young family under immense stress, with a child entering the care system. By working closely with social workers, attending CIN meetings, and creating a robust support plan, our Family Support Worker helped the family stay together keeping the child safe and supported even though they were not able to remain together in the same home.

This proactive approach is central to everything we do. It's about getting in early, responding to need quickly, and standing firm beside families as they build resilience.

“Forever Colours’ Family Support Service has been a lifeline for us. From the very first moment, we felt heard and understood. The support wasn’t just practical it was deeply human. Our Family Support Worker helped us through things we never thought we’d cope with. We were never alone.” (A parent supported by Forever Colours)

As demand continues to grow, our Family Support team remains committed to evolving investing in tools, training, and partnerships that help us respond to need with clarity, compassion, and care.

We’ll continue strengthening our ties with local agencies, expanding capacity, and ensuring no family faces these moments without meaningful support. Behind every referral is a real story of love, fear, strength, and hope. And at Forever Colours, we’re honoured to walk alongside them.

IMPACT STORY

For the first 18 months of his life, N knew only the walls of a hospital room.

Born with complex medical needs, N required a tracheostomy and ventilation to breathe, and although he was eventually deemed clinically well enough to leave hospital, he couldn’t because there was no care package in place to support his safe discharge. What should have been the beginning of life at home became a prolonged period of isolation, infection risk, and emotional separation for the entire family.

N’s mother remained by his side in hospital, while his older sibling was cared for at home. The family was stretched thin emotionally, physically, and logistically with Mum and Dad often apart for long periods, trying to be present for both their children in two different places.

It was during the long, uncertain hospital stay that another parent, also supported by Forever Colours, met N’s mum on the ward and encouraged her to get in touch.

That single conversation changed everything.

From the moment Forever Colours became involved, our focus was clear: to support N and his family in reuniting at home, where he could begin to thrive beyond the confines of a clinical environment.

Our Specialist play worker began visiting N in hospital, providing sensory play, bonding activities, and emotional support for both him and his mum. These sessions were more than a distraction they offered a window into a world outside the ward, stimulating N’s development and helping Mum reconnect with her role as a parent, not just a carer.

Behind the scenes, our Family Support Team worked tirelessly to help navigate the complex systems delaying N’s discharge. We advocated for the family, liaised with healthcare providers, and offered emotional support during countless setbacks and delays.

After months of uncertainty, the day finally came when N was able to leave hospital and return home a major milestone for both the family and Forever Colours.

This transition marked more than a physical relocation. It was a restoration of family life a chance for siblings to grow up together, for parents to be under one roof, and for N to begin experiencing the world with the safety and love of home around him.

IMPACT STORY

Our support didn’t end at discharge. Play sessions continued at home, adapted to suit N’s needs and help him settle into his new environment. These sessions have provided a vital bridge to early development all within the comfort and familiarity of home.

N’s story is a powerful example of how early intervention, advocacy, and compassionate care can make all the difference not only to the child, but to the entire family unit.

“Getting him home felt impossible. But Forever Colours never stopped trying. They supported us every step of the way, even when things got really tough. Now we’re finally together again, and that means everything.”

— N’s Mum

This journey from extended hospitalisation to a safe, supported home life has been one of the most meaningful accomplishments of the year. It reflects what Forever Colours is here to do: to listen, respond, advocate, and walk alongside families when they feel unheard, unseen, or overwhelmed.

For N, home is no longer just a dream it’s where healing truly began.

BRINGING OUR MISSION TO LIFE: FAMILY EVENTS

We hosted 76 inclusive family events that offered emotional connection and respite — from Pyjama Parties and Family Discos to Escape Rooms and Cinema Nights. These moments provided joy, laughter, and a rare sense of normality.

“My daughter came home absolutely glowing after the pyjama party – feeling seen, celebrated, and connected.”

This year, Forever Colours has continued to grow its family event programme thoughtfully structured to provide meaningful, inclusive, and joyful experiences throughout the year. We’ve divided our delivery into four quarters, with three events per quarter, ensuring consistent, high-quality opportunities for togetherness, short brakes, and memory-making for every member of the families we support.

With each event, we’ve created not just an experience, but a community a place where parents can breathe, children can play, and siblings can be seen.

Our Parent Groups have seen remarkable growth this year, with a fresh structure designed to offer support that meets families where they are. We now run three distinct types of parent sessions each quarter:

These groups remain completely inclusive, with parents free to choose the space that feels right for them, regardless of relationship status or family structure.

Each group is more than a social event it’s a chance to connect with others who understand the

complexities of parenting a child with life-limiting or complex needs. Some standout experiences this year have included:

BRINGING OUR MISSION TO LIFE: FAMILY EVENTS

Our quarterly Family Days have continued to be a highlight for many of the 150 families we support. These inclusive events are carefully designed to create positive shared memories, and to give families opportunities to simply enjoy being together, away from medical appointments and daily stress.

This year, we’ve hosted:

Attendance remains consistently high, and feedback continues to reflect the incredible value of these moments. For many families, these are the first times they’ve experienced certain activities as a whole unit, and the memories made are lasting.

Siblings of children with complex needs often shoulder invisible emotional burdens which is why our Sibling Support Programme continues to be a pillar of our holistic care. This year, we've not only expanded our offering but tailored it by age, ensuring each child gets an experience that’s fun, appropriate, and empowering.

We now run two separate age groups, so younger siblings and teens each have access to activities designed with them in mind.

BRINGING OUR MISSION TO LIFE: FAMILY EVENTS

Some of this year’s highlights include:

These events give siblings a place where they feel seen, included, and celebrated, not just as part of a family in crisis, but as individuals in their own right.

This year, over 600 individuals across our referred families have benefited from these events whether they attended a roast dinner, found a friend in a parent group, or stayed up late with siblings under fairy lights and duvets.

These events do more than bring joy they build resilience, reduce isolation, and reinforce the message that no one is going through this alone.

We are deeply proud of the creativity, care, and connection that these programmes have fostered and even more excited for what’s to come in the year ahead.

"I liked singing with my mum at the karaoke. She was really funny, and we laughed lots!" (J, age 9, after the Family Disco Night)

"I made a new friend who also has a brother in a wheelchair. We’re the same!"

( L, age 10, after a Sibling Group meet-up)

"It’s the only time I get to hang out without worrying. I just get to be me here."

(H, age 15, during a Sibling Group discussion)

COFFEE MORNINGS

At Forever Colours, we understand that sometimes the most powerful support comes not from formal meetings or services, but from simply sitting together over coffee, in conversation, in community. This year, our Coffee Mornings have continued to thrive, evolving into a key part of the emotional and social support we offer to families.

In response to feedback and to better meet the needs of our families, we made the exciting decision to relocate our weekly Coffee Mornings in Milton Keynes to a new, more accessible venue. The change has not only improved the comfort and atmosphere of the gatherings but has also helped increase attendance and deepen the connections being formed.

These sessions now offer a more enriching environment one where parents and carers feel truly welcomed, listened to, and supported. The consistency of a weekly space has helped build trust and belonging among families facing similar experiences.

While Milton Keynes remains our primary location due to the concentration of families we support there, we’ve also recognised the importance of being geographically inclusive.

That’s why we now host monthly Coffee Mornings in Buckingham and Aylesbury, ensuring that families living further afield are not left out of this important support network. These regional sessions have opened new doors for connection, giving families across Buckinghamshire a place to be seen, heard, and supported closer to home.

During school holidays, we adapt our model to support the evolving needs of families with young children. Our Coffee Mornings transform into “Coffee & Play” meet-ups, held at local parks and playgrounds creating opportunities for children to play and parents to connect in a relaxed outdoor setting.

These sessions offer vital short brake, helping families maintain routine, connection, and emotional support during times that can often feel isolating or overwhelming.

"

COFFEE MORNINGS

The coffee mornings are like a lifeline. I don’t always have the words to explain how I feel, but being with others who just get it... that’s everything. And knowing someone from Forever Colours is always there makes such a difference."

These gatherings have become so much more than a social event. They are a bridge to wider support, allowing families to access guidance from our Family Support Team, ask questions, seek advocacy, or simply share their thoughts in a safe, non-judgmental space.

They’re also a place where friendships are built, milestones are celebrated, and stories are shared quietly reinforcing that no one is alone in this journey.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue growing these sessions exploring new locations, introducing themed activities, and ensuring that every family, wherever they are, can find community through Forever Colours.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS ASD COFFEE MORNINGS

At Forever Colours, we recognise a hard truth: families raising children with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are often the ones who receive the least tailored support from wider services. Many parents tell us they feel invisible navigating complex care systems alone, without the guidance, empathy, or connection they need.

In response, our ASD Coffee Group has grown into a lifeline. It’s more than a gathering it’s a powerful, inclusive space where parents and carers can share, support, and simply be among others who truly understand

Now an integral part of our service, the ASD Coffee Group provides a dedicated environment where parents of children with PMLD or ASD can meet others living similar realities. There’s no need to explain a meltdown, apologise for emotions, or feel judged just real, human connection.

“In this group, we’re not just supported we’re understood. That changes everything.” (Parent attending the ASD Coffee Group)

What makes this group particularly special is how it extends far beyond the coffee table. The families have created and maintained their own WhatsApp support group, offering 24/7 connection. Whether it’s advice on managing behaviours, sharing school struggles, celebrating milestones, or reaching out during difficult days this network has become a constant source of strength.

This growing connection is a testament to the trust and belonging Forever Colours has helped nurture and it also signals something important: these families are turning to us more often and in more ways. They’re asking for guidance, reassurance, and resources and we are committed to being there.

We recognise that families of children with complex needs are often under-served, under-resourced, and overwhelmed. Many tell us they have nowhere else to turn. By offering a space where they feel seen, valued, and prioritised, we’re not just meeting a need we’re filling a void.

That’s why our Family Support Team plays an active role in this group attending sessions, offering practical advice, advocating for families, and ensuring they have access to the right services and tools. Together with peer support, this creates a holistic safety net.

We’re proud of how this group has evolved into a network of resilience, knowledge, and compassion. As the needs of families grow, so will our commitment. We’re exploring:

Our mission is simple but essential: to ensure no family raising a child with PMLD or ASD feels forgotten. With every conversation, every connection, and every cup of coffee, we’re creating a stronger, more supported future together.

BRINGING OUR MISSION TO LIFE: BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

Our Bereavement Support continued for 8 families this year, with dedicated follow-up care, memorymaking activities, and compassionate guidance. We honoured the life of children like Freiya, whose joy, sparkle and love for Disney characters continue to inspire our work.

“Thank you for keeping Freiya in your hearts as we honour her beautiful life.”

We worked collaboratively with social workers, paediatricians, schools, and safeguarding teams to ensure coordinated and holistic care. Through these efforts, we delivered a wraparound model that reflects our values: Family, Compassion, and Dignity.

FUNDRAISING

This year has marked a turning point for Forever Colours Children’s Hospice. We are proud to report a positive turnaround in our financial position a direct result of improved funding application success, targeted income strategies, and an increasingly engaged supporter base.

Thanks to the unwavering generosity of our community and a more focused approach to funding, we’ve been able to expand our services and strengthen the charity's foundations. With the full support of our Board of Trustees, we have designated funds to invest in innovative income generation strategies, reinforcing our commitment to long-term sustainability and growth.

A major focus this year has been the development and diversification of our income streams. We're excited to see early success across several areas:

• Grant Funding: We have significantly improved our success rate with funding applications, securing grants that have supported service delivery, operational growth, and staff development.

• Fundraising Events: This year saw our very first independently organised Charity Golf Day, which proved to be a huge success. Not only did it raise essential funds, but it also helped us forge valuable new connections. We now feel confident this will become a recurring flagship event for our charity.

• Community Fundraising: Our local community has stepped up in inspiring ways. We’ve seen a notable rise in individuals independently approaching us to offer their time and ideas for fundraising opportunities a powerful reflection of our growing visibility and trust within the community.

• Branding and Digital Presence: We believe that much of this growth stems from improvements to our social media strategy, branding consistency, and online engagement. These changes have helped us better communicate our mission and reach new audiences.

We are also actively developing corporate partnerships, exploring social enterprise models, and expanding our digital fundraising platforms to make supporting Forever Colours more accessible and meaningful for donors.

While we recognise that building diverse income streams is a long-term goal, we are already seeing the positive impact of these early efforts. These developments are enabling us not only to sustain our core services but to plan reaching more babies, children, young people, and their families who need our support.

As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to creating a strong and resilient financial foundation that ensures Forever Colours can continue delivering care that is compassionate, high-quality, and family-focused today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOREVER COLOURS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE

Charity number1191073

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH2025

FOREVER COLOURS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Page
Independent Examiners Report 1
Statement of Financial Activities 2
Balance Sheet 3
Notes to the financial statements 4 - 9

FOREVER COLOURS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

I report on the accounts of Forever Colours Childrens Hospice for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 2 to 9.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (The Act) but that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s Statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considerations of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement In the course of my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

David Courtier FMAAT AATQB for and on behalf of: Community360

Winsley’s House, High Street, Colchester, Essex

Date 28/01/2026

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FOREVER COLOURS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Note Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
Total Total Total Total
£ £ £ £
Incoming resources
Donations & legacies
2 131,034 - 131,034 163,289
Incomefrom charitable activities 3 39,694 - 39,694 35,112
Total income 170,728 - 170,728 198,401
Expenditure
Raisingfunds 4 7,686 - 7,686 10,850
Charitable activities 5 124,261 - 124,261 235,272
Total resources expended 131,947 - 131,947 246,122
Net income/(expenditure) 38,781 - 38,781 (47,721)
Reconciliaton of funds:
Total funds brought forward (28,267) - (28,267) 19,454
Netmovementinfunds 38,781 - 38,781 (47,721)
Funds at 31 March 2025 10,514 - 10,514 (28,267)

Notes on pages 4 to 9 form part of these financial statements

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FOREVER COLOURS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

Drafts as at 5th September 2025
2025
Total Note 2025 2024 2024
£ Total Total Total
£ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangibleassets 8 2,340 3,224
Current assets
Debtors 9 - -
Cash at bank and in hand 42,577 33,503
42,577 33,503
Current liabilities
Creditors,amountsfalling due within one year 10 (34,403) (64,994)
Net current assets 8,174 (31,491)
Net assets 10,514 (28,267)
Funds
Unrestricted funds 11 10,514 (28,267)
Restricted funds 11 - -
10,514 (28,267)

These accounts were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by :

Signed Date 27th January 2026 E B Charvet (Chair of Trustees)

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FOREVER COLOURS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. Generalinformation

ForeverColours Children's Hospice is a charity registered in England, with registration number 1191073. The charity's registered address is 48 Frobisher Road, London, N8 0QX. The principle activity of the charity is to promote and facilitate the relief, treatment and care of children and young persons living in the UK with life-limiting and/or life threatening conditions.

2.Accounting Policies

Basis of the preparation of the accounts

The financial statementshave been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement on Recommended Practise applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Rebulic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Forever Colours Children's Hospice meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

Going concern

TheTrustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate, i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events and conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation for issue of the financial statements, and have concluded that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least the next twelve months. The trustees continue to monitor the going concern on a regular basis due to the level of creditors to ensure there are sufficient incoming funds to meet commitments and to complete charitable activities.

Incoming resources

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Grants are included in the statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the assets's use.

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FOREVER COLOURS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Expenditure cont.

Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.

Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

Cash flow statement

TheTrusteeshavetaken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard 1 (revised) from including a cash flow statement in the financial statements on the grounds that the company is small.

Depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at costs. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following bases:

Fixtures and fittings -20%
Computer equipment -20%

Debtors

Tradeand other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash atbank andin hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months of less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognisedwhen there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.

Financial instruments

TheCharity only hasfinancial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

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FOREVER COLOURS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Pensions

Thecharityoperates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Charity to the fund in respect of the year.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted fundsare available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Inthe applicationof the charity's accountingpolicies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

There are no critical accounting estimates or judgements in the financial statements.

2.Donations & legacies

onations & legacies
**Unrestricted ** Restricted Total Total
2025 2025 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Donations 84,784 - 84,784 135,289
Grants 46,250 - 46,250 28,000
Total 131,034 - 131,034 163,289
Total 2023 163,289 - 163,289

3. Income from charitable activities

**Unrestricted ** Restricted Total Total
2025 2025 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Fundraising 11,516 - 11,516 22,668
Special events 28,178 - 28,178 12,444
Total 39,694 - 39,694 35,112
Total 2023 35,112 - 35,112

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FOREVER COLOURS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4.Expenditure on raising funds

Costs of raising voluntary income **Unrestricted ** Restricted Total Total
2025 2025 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Fundraising costs 7,686 - 7,686 10,850
Total 2024 7,686 - 7,686 10,850
Total 2023 10,850 - 10,850

5.Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities

Summary by fund type **Unrestricted ** Restricted Total Total
2025 2025 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Charitable activities 124,261 - 124,261 235,272
Total 2024 124,261 - 124,261 235,272
Total 2023 235,272 - 235,272

6.Analysis of expenditure by activities
nalysis of expenditure by activities Activities
undertaken Support
directly costs Total Total
2025 2025 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Charitableactivities 98,387 25,874 124,261 235,272
Total 2024 98,387 25,874 124,261 235,272
Total 2023 197,143 38,128 235,272
Analysis of direct costs
Total Total
2025 2024
£ £
Staff costs 95,586 193,813
Depreciation 1,812 1,626
Equipment 989 1,704
Total 2025 98,387 197,143

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FOREVER COLOURS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Analysis of support costs Total Total
2025 2024
£ £
Advertising 2,369 978
Family days/packs - -
Entertainment 3,753 5,220
Computer costs 1,568 8,062
Travel expenses 5,438 6,212
Subscriptions 1,501 1,471
Clothing costs - 305
Bank charges 123 92
Printing, posting & stationery 669 591
Insurance 2,556 2,076
Rent 1,122 1,941
Phone & internet 2,720 2,450
Accountancy 4,875 7,375
Consultancy - 750
Other staff costs - 40
Previous year adjustment (1,018) -
Sundry expenses 169 412
DBScosts 29 153
Total 25,874 38,128
7. Staff costs 2025 2024
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes		 £
89,729
3,764
1,996		 £
176,181
12,976
4,035
95,488 193,192
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:
2025 2024
No. No.
Employees 4 6

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.

Remuneration paid to Key Management Personnel during the period was £53,920 (2024: £65,119). This includes employers national insurance and pension payments for the key management.

Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL) During the year ended 31 March 2025, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £NIL)

**8. ** Tangible fixed assets Fixtures & Computer
fittings equipment Total
£ £ £
Cost
As at 1 April 2024 7,630 499 8,129
Additions 928 - 928
As at 31 March 2025 8,558 499 9,057
Depreciation
As at 1 April 2024 4,688 217 4,905
Charge for the year 1,712 100 1,812
As at 31 March 2025 6,400 317 6,717
Net Book Value
As at 31 March 2025 2,158 182 2,340
As at 31 March 2024 2,942 282 3,224

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FOREVER COLOURS CHILDREN'S HOSPICE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

9. Debtors 2025 2024
£ £
Due within one year
Otherdebtors - -
- -
10.Creditors; amounts falling due within one year 2025 2024
£ £
Other taxation and social security 33,429 64,046
Pension fund loan payable - -
Other creditors 224 198
Accruals and deferred income 750 750
34,403 64,994
11. Funds 01/04/24 Income Expenses Transfers 31/03/25
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
Generalfund (28,267) 170,728 (131,947) - 10,514
Restricted funds - - - - -
Total restricted funds -
- - - - -
Total funds
(28,267) 170,728 (131,947) - **1 0 ** , 5 1 4
10.Analysis of net assets between funds **Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Tangible fixed assets 2,340 3,224
Current assets 42,577 33,503
Creditors due within one year (34,403) (64,994)
Total funds 10,514 (28,267)

Pension commitments

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held seperately from those of the Charity in an independently adminstered fund. The pension cost charge represents contibutions paid by the Charity to the fund and amounted to £1,996 (2024: £4,035). At the period end, an amount of £Nil (2024: £NIL) was payable to the fund and is included in creditors.

11.Related party transactions

The charity received total unrestricted donations from the Trustees of £0 (2024: £Nil). The Charity also received grants totalling £24,000 (2024: £12,000) from The Barber Charvet Trust, with which the Charity has one Trustee in common, E B V Charvet.

There were no outstanding balances owing between related parties and the Charity at 31 March 2025.

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