Last week, members of our Franchising Team had the opportunity to visit Ronald McDonald House Birmingham, building on the work we are fortunate to undertake alongside McDonald’s.
We were welcomed by Laura Bennett, who took the time to show us around the House and talk to us about the support provided to families whose children are receiving hospital treatment.
It was a visit to remember.
A Home Away From Home
Ronald McDonald House helps to take away some of financial and practical worries that come with a child being seriously ill or injured.
Its Houses provide families with somewhere to stay close to their child’s hospital, but they offer much more than a bed for the night. Parents and carers can stay close to their child, remain involved in their care and have somewhere to step away from the hospital when they need to.
Since the first House opened in the UK in 1989, more than 100,000 families have stayed with Ronald McDonald House. Today, there are 14 Houses across the UK, with 8,488 families staying in them during 2025 alone, for an average of 16 nights.
Most importantly, 97% of families agreed or strongly agreed that the services and support they received helped them cope during their child’s hospital stay.
Seeing The Difference First-hand
What struck us was how much thought has gone into creating somewhere that feels welcoming and comfortable for families at a time when very little else may feel normal.
The House isn’t just somewhere to stay near the hospital. It’s somewhere families can eat together, take a break, meet other families who understand what they’re going through and, for a little while, feel more like themselves.
For our team, the visit was a great reminder of the impact that organisations can have when they come together to support something that matters.
Supporting an Important Cause
Ronald McDonald House is an independent charity and relies on donors, fundraisers, volunteers and partners to continue providing its services.
For our Franchising Team, the visit felt particularly meaningful because of the work we are fortunate to undertake alongside McDonald’s and its franchise network. Visiting the Birmingham House gave us an opportunity to step outside that day-to-day work and see another side of the wider McDonald’s community, and the support it helps make possible for families.
Making the visit even more special, a number of our McDonald’s franchisee clients have sponsored wings and rooms within the Birmingham House. It was particularly nice to see first-hand how many of the clients we work with support such a worthwhile cause and contribute to the valuable work the charity does for families.
A huge thank you to Laura for taking the time to welcome us and share more about the House and the people behind its work.
It was a really worthwhile visit, and one that gave our team a greater understanding of the support available to families when they need it most.
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