Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS)

Our Christmas appeal launched earlier this month, asking for donations to help give the gift of time and precious memories to families of dying children across Scotland. Thank you to The Courier, Evening Telegraph, Daily Record, ehospice, Reach plc, the Evening News, and National World plc for sharing our appeal through their regional titles. Read about the story of Kate and her daughter Cally via The Courier below. https://lnkd.in/et3AXazX

“At first, I thought, ‘I’m never going to manage this, I’m going to cry all the time, and I’ll get too emotionally attached to families. “But Rachel House wasn’t what I expected. It’s a magical little haven surrounded by beautiful trees, full of joy, laughter, glitter, glue, and paint. Knowing I get to come in to work every day, plan activities and visitors so that the families can create wonderful memories is incredibly special.” For Becky, a mum of two with extensive experience in Early Years education, family means everything. Thanks to your support - and a little nudge from her daughter and a CHAS pen – Becky has been a Play Assistant at Rachel House in Kinross for the past 15 months. “I had seen an advert for the role at CHAS and chatted to my partner and two girls about it. Then, when we were moving house, my daughter Emily found a CHAS pen in the bottom of a box and said ‘Mum, I think you need to apply.’ I came for the interview at Rachel House and haven’t looked back since. “Christmas at the hospice is the most magical time. Every bedroom has a tree, the reception is decorated to a theme, and there are performers almost every day. There’s a sense of calm yet excitement. But for us, it's all about making sure families are supported and have the time and space to celebrate Christmas together. “I am very blessed and feel incredibly lucky. The Play Assistant is a special role – it’s the best job here because you get to have fun!” 💛

Today, our CEO, Rami Okasha, will give evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee during their scrutiny of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. Currently at Stage 1, the Bill is being examined for its general principles. While CHAS has not taken a moral stance on assisted dying, our role is to assess the specific proposals of the Bill put forward by Liam McArthur MSP. Our focus is on how the Bill might impact young people with a terminal illness, aged 16+, who may fall under its proposals. Learn more about the Bill and Rami’s evidence in our latest blog 👇 https://lnkd.in/ea5FhQYt

✨ Appeal Director and Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy: Are you ready to be part of CHAS’s vision for the future of children’s palliative care? This year, we launched a bold new Strategic Plan to support families from the moment they learn their child is seriously ill, through end-of-life care and beyond. We’re now at a pivotal point, seeking driven leaders to bring this plan to life. In a recent conversation, our Director of People and Strategy, Morven MacLean, and Director of Income Generation and Engagement, Iain McAndrew, discussed two key roles we're recruiting for: Appeal Director and Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy. These leaders will drive the funding, partnerships, and community support essential to sustain and grow our services—including our £16m "It’s Not Just a Hospice Appeal." This is a unique opportunity to join CHAS and ensure no one faces the death of their child alone. If you’re passionate about making an impact, we invite you to be part of this ambition. 👉 https://lnkd.in/enimvf7a #Hiring #Leadership #CHAS

After nearly three years, Morrisons' partnership with Together for Short Lives has wrapped up, raising an incredible £10,722,514! Since February 2022, this collaboration has provided essential support to children's hospices, including our Rachel and Robin House. Morrisons colleagues in Scotland went above and beyond with in-store fundraising, promotions, hikes, challenges, zipslides, and Kiltwalks—all to support children and families. The final total donated to CHAS: £625,917! A heartfelt thank you to the amazing Morrisons colleagues, customers, and suppliers for their tremendous support. Thank you, Morrisons! 💛

We’re hiring! Head of Partnership and Philanthropy and Appeal Director Opportunities Are you passionate about making a profound impact on the experience of children’s palliative care in Scotland? Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) is embarking on its most ambitious journey yet, to make sure no family in Scotland has to face the death of their child alone. To help us achieve this ambition, we are looking for two exceptional leaders to join us: 🔹 Head of Partnership and Philanthropy 🔹 Appeal Director These pivotal roles will shape the future of CHAS as we work to transform the experience of children’s palliative care in Scotland. We need strategic, passionate leaders to guide our talented teams through an exciting period of growth, as we aim to raise £75 million over the next five years, including an ambitious major appeal to raise £16.3 million for the redevelopment of Rachel House hospice. As Head of Partnership and Philanthropy, you’ll lead our efforts to secure major donations, build high-impact corporate relationships, and deliver unforgettable events. As Appeal Director, you’ll drive the six- and seven- figure gifts needed to achieve our goals in the ambitious “It’s Not Just a Hospice Appeal”, securing vital funding to redesign Rachel House and transform the experience of children’s palliative care in Scotland. These roles will work hand in hand to achieve our ambitious aims for sustainable growth, and we’re looking for talented and passionate individuals who can bring: ✔ A track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts  ✔ Expertise in strategic fundraising and relationship building  ✔ Proven success in inspiring and leading teams to achieve ambitious goals  ✔ A commitment to CHAS’s mission of supporting children and families through their most challenging times Why Join CHAS? At CHAS, you’ll make an extraordinary difference every day, joining a supportive, collaborative environment with flexibility and room for growth. We offer: ✨ Hybrid, flexible and family-friendly working options ✨ Ongoing professional development ✨ Generous benefits: annual leave, pension, Blue Light discounts, and more ➡ If you are ready to lead with purpose and compassion, join us in transforming the experience of children’s palliative care in Scotland. Apply now to be part of something truly special. https://lnkd.in/enimvf7a #Leadership #Fundraising #CharityJobs #Partnerships #Philanthropy #ChildrensHospice #Impact

It's #TrusteesWeek2024, and we’re extending heartfelt thanks to our CHAS trustees, who dedicate their time, energy, and expertise to make a meaningful impact on the children and families we support. As champions of our vision, CHAS trustees lead with compassion and purpose, helping us provide unwavering care to children who may die young and their families at every step on the hardest of journeys. Their guidance and leadership light the way forward, and we’re deeply grateful for all they do. Thank you to our trustees for helping keep the joy alive. 💛

It’s International Volunteer Managers Day, an opportunity to celebrate the incredible impact of volunteer resource management. To mark the day, Emma Hanlon (pictured left), our Volunteer Development Manager, discusses how our volunteer management approach aligns with our organisational values, fostering positive experiences for everyone. Read the blog below  👇 https://lnkd.in/edbXs5es #IVMDay24

Mowgli Street Food supports local charities by adding £1 to every bill across its UK restaurants. The Edinburgh branch has been supporting CHAS since it opened in 2023, raising £24,000 for children and families, with staff also volunteering and fundraising for us too! As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first Mowgli restaurant and founder Nisha Katona’s birthday, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved. Mowgli has raised an incredible £2 million for UK charities! 💛 📷 of the Mowgli Edinburgh team

“I’ve absolutely loved my time at CHAS. It’s completely different from my day job in the utility industry, and it’s given me a totally different perspective, sometimes on days when I’ve really needed it. “It’s also a great way to broaden your board and committee experience more generally.” A final call for two passionate individuals to join our board as trustees! If you’re passionate about supporting families in need and have expertise in Finance or Audit, or Estates and Capital Projects, we’d love to hear from you. The deadline for applications is this Tuesday, 22 October. Here’s the Chair of our Finance and Audit Committee, Nicola, with more information. 👉 https://lnkd.in/ex6QH-34