ACORNS Children's Hospice has scooped a national award for its work to meet cultural and religious needs of the families it works with.

The Diversity Champion Not for Profit Sector Award for 2015 recognises organisations which promote diversity in ways that benefit all employees, the organisation’s users and the wider community.

Acorns, which supports more than 180 children across the region, was noted for its work providing appropriate resources, activities and services in ‘an extremely sensitive and tolerant way’ and also for its information booklets, support groups and menus that acknowledged cultural needs.

Emma Aspinall, director of care at Acorns, said: “The children and their families at Acorns come from a wide range of cultural and religious backgrounds. We work hard to ensure we respect and meet their different and individual needs as part of our provision of specialist palliative care.

“This ranges from providing halal and kosher meals and celebrating different cultural and religious festivals to forging links with all faith groups and ensuring we understand the special funeral and burial practices of different beliefs.

“We are delighted that our efforts have been recognised with this award and are encouraged to ensure we continue to respect and further support diversity in every area of our work.”