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Impact Report
The Kirkwood’s expansion over the past decade has been a testament to the amazing support we continue to receive from our community – from donors, fundraisers and families to local businesses, healthcare partners and our dedicated volunteers. But in recent years, despite rigorous cost-saving measures and ongoing income generation efforts, it had become increasingly difficult to bridge the growing gap in our finances.
To ensure we continue to be here for people facing life limiting illnesses in Kirklees in the future, we implemented a comprehensive plan to put The Kirkwood’s finances back on a secure footing.
These changes, which were proposed in January and began to be implemented in March 2025, are presented in this year’s Impact Report. Not to overshadow our successes over the last decade, but to provide essential context. Every achievement detailed in the following section reflects the dedication of our teams and the unwavering support of our community, who have played a huge part in helping to preserve our lifechanging care during this period of transition.
GARY'S STORY
A TIPPING POINT: REIMAGINING SUSTAINABLE CARE
The success of the last decade, marked by our achievement in Mdoubling the number of people we care for each year, led to an inevitable rise in the cost and complexity of delivering our specialist care. At the time, these service developments were sustainable for the hospice. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, global conflicts, and economic uncertainty.
Rising demand for our vital services over the past few years, coupled with rapidly increasing costs of everything from utilities to employee salaries, resulted in substantial losses. Despite our best efforts, the incredible generosity of our donors and support of our NHS partners, The Kirkwood, like many charities in the sector, reached a crucial tipping point in 2024–25.
The simple truth is that the funds we raised could no longer cover the comprehensive, community-wide services we were delivering. Our long-range forecasts revealed that maintaining our existing service was unsustainable. If we did not act decisively, we risked compromising our ability to provide care in the future. The scale of the crisis meant we had to make difficult decisions. To secure the quality of our core clinical services, we had to prioritise those patients with the most complex needs. This shift allows us to concentrate our resources where need is greatest. As a result, we anticipate a reduction in the number of people we can support each year, dropping from 2,100 to around 1,300.
This year’s Impact Report is the story of how The Kirkwood continue to be here for everyone affected by a life limiting illness, every step of the way.
TOGETHER,WE SUPPORT LIFE
Following the announcement about our financial position, something extraordinary happened. Our Movement responded with an outpouring of support. When The Kirkwood needed help, the people of Kirklees answered our call.
Our supporters understood the gravity of the situation and the critical importance of protecting specialist palliative care in our community. They didn’t just stand by; they came out in force to advocate for our future. They wrote passionate letters to their local MPs, they increased their regular donations, joined our lottery, and organised countless fundraising efforts. It was a profound demonstration of the shared belief at
the heart of The Kirkwood. It showed that our charity is not just an organisation, but a vital, deeply cherished community asset.
We couldn’t be prouder of our Movement or more grateful for their continued, unwavering support. The tenacity and commitment shown by every supporter renews our strength and endorses the importance of our mission.
Together, we will build back, build stronger, and continue to SUPPORT LIFE for all those here in Kirklees who need us.
NASSER'S STORY
OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Despite the changes we’ve made to our services, we will never compromise on delivering the best quality of care for those who reach out for our help. Our immediate priority is ensuring the financial sustainability that guarantees we remain here for those in need, both now and for future generations.
Although we have been forced to scale back some services built up over the last decade, we remain on track to deliver more care to more people than we did just five years ago, proving that our long-term trend remains one of growth. Our core vision remains undimmed: we will never stop striving to meet the needs of those affected by any life limiting illness – at home, in our hospice, and in every town and village across Kirklees.
We will continue to be here for those in most need, providing the very best, expert, and compassionate care for those nearing the end of life, and supporting families facing bereavement to live on and live well. And we will find innovative new ways to help more people in need once again to ensure our care reaches every corner of our community.
It’s what those who came before us would expect – and the very least the people of Kirklees deserve. In the meantime, we are committed to actively lobbying our partners in the NHS – locally, regionally, and nationally – for a fairer balance between voluntary fundraising and the statutory funding we currently receive to support our vital work.
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