As we close 2022, I reflect on the year, Jolly Josh proudly opened our very own accessible Centre, inviting families who have children with complex medical needs, profound and multiple learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities, to form a community, to Connect, Support and Thrive. It has been an incredible 8 months, developing the ‘stay and play’ sessions, especially as we’re now timetabling evening and weekend sessions to enable youths up to 19 years of age to access the Centre. More so, it has been magical to witness our hydrotherapy pool open, the feedback from our families and those privately hiring the pool has been marvellous, the family fun sessions have been a huge hit!
This year, my family welcomed our fourth child in July, so I have taken a short (but much needed) break from all things ‘Jolly Josh,’ this has only been feasible because we now have a small but mighty team. Jolly Josh was formed in 2017 and for the first time since then I have finally been able to switch off from most aspects and entrust the charity to those, we feel share our values and visions. As you can imagine, as the founder, I created and have managed Jolly Josh (on a voluntary basis) throughout every aspect of the charity, including our social media, website, emails, weekly sessions, fundraising, supporting the construction, bid writing, promotion, etc.
I first began planning the concept of Jolly Josh when we got our son’s diagnosis of ‘extensive brain damage’ (we did not realise it would be terminal) and most of my plans were constructed from a hospital or hospice room – perhaps a form of distraction.
After Joshua passed away, I lived and breathed Jolly Josh. I was driven to make change; teaching at the local special needs school, I had a glimpse of what life would have been like had Joshua had have survived, and these families deserved better! In my opinion, they were being failed by a system that had forgotten them or didn’t have the budget to properly meet their needs; in either case, change was needed. I became even more determined that Jolly Josh would fill the gap; we went on to quickly expand and develop the charity with thanks to individuals and businesses within our Borough, who listened when I ‘banged my drum,’ they did not just hear the dream, they made it a reality! Each time I enter the Centre, I am filled with emotion, pride and gratitude, and I do not think that there will ever be a day when I take it for granted. Our blood, sweat and tears are within those walls, but now thankfully I am told that most days the room is filled with laughter!
My personal break from Jolly Josh, and the success of the sessions at the Centre have largely been thanks to our small team of staff, and volunteers. Our Centre Manager Sarah, Lead Session Facilitators Rachel and Anna, Lead Fundraiser Lillie, Hydrotherapy Lead Natalie, and Lifeguard Tom, have the same passion, values and drive for the charity and our families.
I have raised Jolly Josh over the past 5 years, with attention to detail, a strong and determined voice, and the mindset that our families deserve the best opportunities to Connect, Support, Thrive. Therefore, I am thrilled that we not only found a team that also genuinely believe this, but we also found a very experienced, empathetic team who I’ve been able to trust to ensure that the Centre is a safe, secure, and welcoming ‘place to call home’ for our new community.
Feedback from our families verify my thoughts with regards to positive messages of gratitude for the experiences gained in the sessions, and the quality of interactions, communication, and care.
Our charity would cease to function without our fundraisers, every penny counts. I can only hope that our supporters follow our social media or website posts to gain a glimpse of the gift your donations are providing. In raising awareness and funds for Jolly Josh, you really are making a difference and I thank you for your support and hope to gain your continued support as we enter a new year.
This year, we have continued to collaborate with other services and charities to enhance the provision available for our families, we are very grateful for these partnerships and look forward to developing both existing and new networks next year, starting with a phenomenal opportunity to collaborate with the national charity, Together For Short Lives.
Overall, the success of the Centre is due to parent-carers taking the brave first step in visiting; without our families the Centre would be meaningless, and for most, that first visit is a huge challenge but one that we now know is thankfully being repeated time and time again as we begin to create a thriving Jolly Josh community. Our families are the reason for our existence, but they are also the reason for our success. I thank them for allowing us to take small steps together whilst they navigate the journey of raising a child with disabilities; we hope to support them in whatever way we can.
I have observed the social media posts since the Centre opened, and with each post I am in awe of what has been achieved, and of the community that we have welcomed and created since April. This dream has been made a reality by the gift of generosity, whether that be in terms of financial support, volunteering time, goods/products, sharing knowledge and/or raising awareness, etc. I’m extremely excited to witness Jolly Josh continue to grow in 2023, let’s hope that the charity becomes the gift that keeps on giving…!
Finally, I would like to acknowledge our bereaved families, for whom entering a New Year without their child/children is extremely painful; I bear this pain. The fears of ‘Joshua should be opening his Christmas Presents – but his sack is empty, Joshua would be seven this year, Joshua would be ….’ The list of ‘should/would be is endless and although every day brings pain in grieving, Christmas and New Year highlights it all the more! So, with that in mind, I would like to send peace, strength and hope to those who sadly share this heartache.
Merry Christmas, wishing you love in the New Year.
