Jessie May celebrates

JESSIE MAY CELEBRATE 17 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP

On Thursday 1st September, Bristol-based hospice at home charity Jessie May held a special celebration day at Bristol Zoo. Joined by families, supporters, trustees and staff, it presented a fabulous opportunity for a first in-person meeting since COVID and a chance to give thanks to this unique charity. The event marked the retirement of CEO Chris Roys after 17 years at the helm, and gave new CEO Daniel Cheesman the opportunity to set out the next 5 Year Strategy for the charity.

Jessie May provides specialist palliative care in the home for children who have terminal and life-shortening conditions. The charity has family at its heart, and that family spirit was ever present on the day. New CEO Daniel Cheesman described the celebration event as being like a family coming together,

“Having just completed my first month, I’m really enjoying getting to know this amazing charity and I have been so impressed with the passion and commitment shown by the whole team. We have launched a very strong strategy, with big aims to support even more families, through innovative new projects as well as expanding the geographical reach of the charity - I am looking forward to working to fulfil this over the next few years.

I have been so appreciative of Chris’ guidance over these last few weeks, as he graciously hands the reins and responsibility of Jessie May over to myself. I hope that myself and the team can continue to do him proud, and take his achievements and steady platform from over the last 17 years” Outgoing CEO Chris Roys was thankful for the opportunity the event gave, “To be able to have the opportunity to say goodbye in such a public way, to a group of individuals who I have collectively known for over 17 years, was a difficult but incredibly heart-warming moment. It was made particularly special with the attendance of some families and children that we have supported over the last 25 years, seeing them interact with their Jessie May nurses and the beaming smiles on their faces is exactly what makes this charity so special. Knowing that Jessie May has been passed over to Daniel, who has such a sincere motivation and passion for seeing the new strategy through, allows me to leave with the confidence that Jessie May will continue to thrive and grow.” The new 5-year strategy ‘No Place Like Home’ sets out the 2022 - 2027 aims for the charity and encompasses 6 key objectives. The overarching vision for Jessie May is that all children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions are supported to have the very best quality of life possible, and to choose to live, and to die, in their own homes with their families. To read or download your copy visit wwwjessiemay. org.uk/news/our-publications

B BLOCK TO CELEBRATE 5TH BIRTHDAY WITH PARTIES, PIZZA AND PROSECCO

To celebrate its 5th birthday anniversary in style, the Italian-inspired pizzeria and bistro, B Block, is throwing two parties and offering a discounted prosecco and pizza deal on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th October. The £5 for a glass of prosecco and £5 for a whole pizza deal celebrates the restaurant's 5th year of business and will run alongside two events across its birthday weekend - a Viva Italia evening on Friday 7th October and a free-to-attend family fun day on Saturday 8th October.

B-BLOCK 5TH VIVA ITALIA PARTY - FRIDAY 7TH OCTOBER (5 PM - 8 PM)

Featuring traditional Italian recipes alongside its immensely popular wood-fired pizzas, B Block will be hosting an Italian-style party on Friday evening from 5 pm onwards. Diners can travel to Italy without leaving Keynsham, or breaking the bank, with a glass of prosecco for £5 and a wood-fired Margherita pizza for £5. The Bristol Accordionist will be serenading diners from 5:30-8 pm, with a selection of famous and well-loved Italian classics perfect for the occasion; from O Sole Mio, La Mattinata, to everyone's

B-BLOCK 5TH FAMILY FUN DAY - SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER (10:30 AM - 5 PM)

On Saturday, B-Block will be inviting families to celebrate by hosting a free family-fun birthday bash with biscuit decorating from B Block’s expert chefs - headed up by Food Development Manager, Adrian Kirikmaa. Party-goers should also expect face painters and circus workshops throughout the day to keep the fun going until 5 pm. Neighbouring restaurant, Somer Dining, will be transformed for families for the day with a children’s party to keep the kids (and big kids!) happy until dinner time. B Block will also be showing the Disney movie, Luca, throughout the day in The Chocolate Quarter's luxury Charlton Cinema. Set in Italy, Luca tells the story of a young sea monster boy with the ability to assume human form while on land.

Popular with residents and visitors alike, B Block transforms from a coffee spot serving breakfast and stone-fired pizzas by day to an intimate Italian restaurant by night. Over five years, it has earned a reputation for its excellent standard of food, winning several awards. B Block uses the freshest ingredients that are sustainably sourced from local suppliers. All of its pizzas are a blend of Italian ingredients with British expertise. The team’s fruit and vegetables arrive from the nearby Bristol Fruit and Veg Market, and their meat from WJ Harris - a family butcher in Barton Hill in the east of the city. B Block’s organic flour comes from Shipton Mill in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Their delicious cheese and cured meats come from Nanona in Clevedon, which offers a direct supply line to some of the best producers in Italy. B Block is located in the Chocolate Quarter, a £60 million redevelopment of Keynsham’s former chocolate factory site by St Monica Trust. B Block is located within an eight-minute walk of Keynsham High Street. There is a bus stop located outside of B Block and a train station within a five-minute walk of The Chocolate Quarter.

The name and style of the restaurant highlight the building’s heritage. Housed within one of the original factory buildings, the 60-cover restaurant features bespoke furniture, salvaged light fittings, ironwork and reclaimed decorative items to create a stripped-back industrial feel. Open Monday-Thursday 8 am-4 pm, Friday 8 am-8 pm, Saturday 9 am-8 pm and Sunday 9 am-11:30 am, guests can book via social media or by phoning the restaurant on 0117 363 7119.