Willow Foundation

Who we are

Our Vision: young adults with life threatening illness and those close to them are able to take full advantage of what life has to offer.

Our Mission: to provide for young adults with life threatening illness and those close to them the motivation to take full advantage of life through memorable Special Days.

Our Values: we are caring; we are all about special relationships; we cherish people and time; they are our most precious resources; and we have the courage to imagine otherwise.

ABOUT WILLOW

Willow is the only national charity working with seriously ill young adults aged 16 to 40 to fulfil uplifting and unforgettable Special Days, Special Breaks and Special Treats. Our service enables beneficiaries and their families to reconnect and refocus on each other, creating memories they will all treasure forever.

For some their Special Day is the opportunity to return some normality to their lives. For others it is the last chance to fulfil a dream. But for all, at what is the most difficult of times, a Special Day is a life-affirming experience that can lift spirits, reunify families and be a source of strength when it’s needed most.

Each special day, break or treat provides a positive experience to be shared with a partner, parents, siblings, children or close friends. To date, Willow has provided more than 22,500 special days, breaks and treats for young adults diagnosed with a life-threatening condition such as cancer, motor neurone disease, cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease. 

Founded by former Arsenal goalkeeper and TV presenter, Bob Wilson and his wife, Megs, Willow is a lasting memorial to their daughter, Anna, who died of cancer aged 31. Anna’s love of life and the enriching experiences of her own Special Days were the charity’s inspiration.

Willow is totally reliant on the generosity of individuals, companies, trusts and foundations to fund its work.

Our culture and values

Our founding belief is that we believe in quality of life and quality of time.

Our Values: we are caring; we are all about special relationships; we cherish people and time; they are our most precious resources; and we have the courage to imagine otherwise.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and to avoiding unlawful discrimination. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy is intended to assist in putting this commitment in to practice. We seek to create a work environment where all employees are treated as individuals, fairly and in a consistent way. We work within the spirit and practice of the Equality Act 2010 by promoting a culture of respect and dignity and actively challenging discrimination, should it ever arise.

Since August 2023 Willow has been a Disability Confident Committed Employer and as such have committed to:

• Ensuring that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible.
• Offering a job interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job.
• Providing reasonable adjustments where required.
• Supporting employees who acquire a disability or long-term health condition.