Many of you will know our fabulous Director, Gill Stevens, who is stepping down on 5.8.22, after 22 years with the charity. When Gill joined Daisy’s Dream there was a staff team of just 4 providing residential weekends for bereaved children. Since that time the charity has grown to provide a range of tailored services across Berkshire, the surrounding areas and more recently in Cheshire East.
In the time that Gill has been with Daisy’s Dream, the charity has provided support for a whopping 12,570 children and young people.
Gill has been absolutely instrumental in the development and success of the charity, both on the service and fundraising sides and there is no doubt that we wouldn’t be where we are today without her strong leadership, empathetic style and experience to steer us all through thick and thin!
In true Gill style she was hoping to step away without drawing attention to her departure, but we couldn’t let that happen without letting everyone know.
“I have loved my time at Daisy’s Dream; it has been a real honour to lead the organisation and work with so many inspiring people coping with the most traumatic, difficult and challenging life events. We see real change in the lives of children and families during the course of our work. For some that can happen relatively quickly, for others it is a longer process, but to know that we have helped children and families ultimately to face the future in a positive way – something they perhaps thought would never be possible – has been a real privilege,” says Gill of her time at Daisy’s Dream. “We could not have supported these children and families without the support of the wonderful community we serve and for that we are so grateful, so a huge thank you to everyone I have met and worked with over an amazing 22 years.”
We know that you, as well as all of us, will be extremely sad to see Gill leave Daisy’s Dream and that it truly is the end of an era.
However, we also know that it is testament to Gill’s outstanding leadership and teamwork over the years that she leaves a team of true professionals in place, whose dedication and belief in children and young people and the work that Daisy’s Dream does will ensure that the positive ethos of the charity and wonderful support given to families going through the most difficult of times will continue.
This marks a new chapter for Daisy’s Dream and we cannot deny that it is also a time when the organisation faces significant challenges. In recent months the demand for our service has increased by 8%. We are determined to meet that need with the help of all our fabulous supporters, so that we can look forward to supporting thousands more children in the next 22 years!
