Meet the Team

ABOUT US
MEET THE TEAM (STAFF)

Our Team: The Heart and Soul of The Jolly Josh Centre

The beating heart of The Jolly Josh Centre is our exceptional team. Committed, compassionate, and driven, our team members are the driving force behind our mission. Drawing on a rich tapestry of lived and learned experiences, they bring a unique blend of expertise to our organization.

Our team members have diverse backgrounds: Thirty years combined Special Education Needs and Nursing, the same for in Facilities Management, and Fundraising, and over 20 years of Hydrotherapy experience. This diversity of knowledge and skills allows us to offer a comprehensive range of services that cater to the specific needs of our Jolly Josh families.

What sets our team apart is their unwavering dedication to putting our Jolly Josh families at the core of everything they do. Their passion and commitment shine through in every interaction, ensuring that each child and young individual receives the care and support they deserve.

With our team at the helm, The Jolly Josh Centre is not just a place; it is a nurturing community where every child’s well-being and growth take centre stage. Together, we work tirelessly to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve.

Sarah

Centre Manager

Anna

Session Facilitator

Liz

Lead Fundraiser

Emma

Hydro Lead

Nazreen

Play Worker

Ruby

Play Worker

Fran

Play Worker

Hollie

Lifeguard

Nuala

Play Worker

Jolly Josh, 2 Ensor Mill, Castleton, Rochdale, OL11 2NU

Jolly Josh is a registered charity. Charity number 1178116
Policies • Charity Constitution

WEBSITE DESIGNED AND
MANAGED BY CAPTURE DESIGN

WEBSITE DESIGNED AND
MANAGED BY CAPTURE DESIGN

My role as Centre Manager is the most rewarding of my career so far and it is a privilege to play such a pivotal role in helping our families make the most of every day. Working at Jolly Josh gives me a unique opportunity to watch the development of children and their carers, and the confidence and friendships they build from the day they step through the door.

Having worked in Special Education since 2015, and with a previous 7 year career as an Auxiliary Nurse, I knew that combining my skills and experience to support medically complex children was the way to go.

I am a qualified Signalong Tutor and am proud to contribute to Jolly Josh’s whole communication approach. I am also a qualified Rebound Therapist, and really enjoy seeing all of the benefits (and fun!) a trampoline can bring to children and young people.

I also undertake regular up to date bereavement training in order to be able to offer families the best possible support when they are facing unimaginably difficult times.

I consider Jolly Josh to be a ‘One Stop Shop’, where families can enjoy our play sessions, learn new skills such as swimming and sign language, access therapies such as Rebound and Sound Baths, and connect with health professionals who visit the centre weekly.

I am passionate about inclusion, and having a fully accessible centre where children can socialise and access all of the activities, no matter their ability is a truly wonderful addition to Rochdale.

My role at Jolly Josh has surpassed all of my expectations, and welcoming more and more people into our Jolly Josh family spurs me on to be the best that I can be.

Joining the team just over a year ago, Liz really has levelled up the fundraising at Jolly Josh. The strategies that Liz has implemented are endless, from setting up our Amazon Wish List, to organising our spectacular Jingle Bell Ball, which raised a whopping 18K! Liz’s innovative thinking, and amazing ability to foster business connections has meant that we can continue to offer our services for free.
As well as being an amazing Fundraiser, Liz also brings with her a wealth of experience. Liz was a primary teacher for 16 years and being a mum of 3, with a child with complex medical needs, Liz joined our team with plenty of passion and a wealth of knowledge. Liz loves spending time with our families in the centre and is always on hand to offer a listening ear and a hot cup of tea. If she isn’t busy raising money she can be found writing much needed grants.
About her role at Jolly Josh, Liz said, “I love more than anything being a part of the Jolly Josh family, spending time with the children and parents that attend our centre. I am always here offering a listening ear, and you don’t have to ask me twice for baby cuddles!
From personal experience I have a lot of knowledge of the equipment we have and need which has helped when applying for funding. I have loved making positive connections with lots of businesses within Rochdale, spreading the fabulous work we do and our mission, encouraging support for Jolly Josh.
I love organising our Jolly Josh events, and seeing the fun that is had at them, bringing smiles to faces and raising money to keep the centre thriving.
Our team maybe small but our hearts are big.
We’re thrilled to welcome Emma to our team as our new Hydrotherapy Lead! With a background that combines compassion, expertise, and dedication, Emma brings a wealth of experience to our centre.
She’s a qualified swim teacher, holds a degree in Sports Therapy, and is also a certified SEN Coordinator. Emma has worked in a number of positions, from Special Needs Schools in Rochdale, all the way to the Dubai Centre For Special Needs, making her uniquely equipped to support children with complex needs in the water.
Emma’s passion lies in creating a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment where every individual can thrive through Hydrotherapy. We’re so excited for what she brings to our team and to the families we support.
About her role at Jolly Josh Emma said, “I’m really enjoying meeting all of the families at Jolly Josh, and I know how vital the warm water is to the children. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together!”