Jolly Josh: The local charity with a big mission

Jolly Josh is a local charity that supports children with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), additional and complex needs, and their families and carers within Rochdale and the wider area.

Sarah Ford, Centre Manager at Jolly Josh shared the origins of the charity and some exciting recent projects that are already making a positive impact in the local community:

"'Joshua’s Journey' is one of love and heartache. Born in May 2016, Josh was healthy, thriving, and meeting all expected milestones. However, at four months old, the family began to see regression in

Josh’s development and at just six months old, a scan confirmed the devastating news that he had experienced ‘extensive brain damage’, meaning that he would be severely disabled.

"As Josh’s mum Carole Kelly began to settle into life as the mother of a child with Special Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and at the same time caring for Josh’s big sister Sophie, she soon realised the huge limitations on interacting with and gaining mutual support from other families in similar situations.

"Carole reduced her hours working as a primary school teacher to care for Josh and realised that the facilities and opportunities to meet other people in the same circumstances were very limited. Care provision seemed to start at the age of 4, and there were no facilities to support learning and interaction with other parents and children.

"In May 2017 Carole and her family were told that with the rapid deterioration in her son’s health caused by a metabolic condition called Mitochondrial Disease, little Josh had a few precious months, if not weeks, until he found peace.

"Giving up her job completely to become a full-time Mummy, Carole spent all her time taking every opportunity to create special forever memories with Josh, her daughter Sophie, husband James, and their loved ones. On May 16th, 2017, Josh began his palliative care journey and passed away just a few months later on 27th August 2017.

"Carole’s experiences and determination to create something positive, and by her own admission by way of a distraction, meant that Jolly Josh began offering ‘stay and play’ sessions to PMLD (Profound or Multi Learning Disabilities) children and their families on 27th September 2017, exactly one month after Josh’s passing."

With the help and use of facilities at Springside Primary School, Carole set up sessions for families just like hers and even arranged for professionals to come and visit the sessions for families to get one-toone information and help.

Carole opened weekly educational and sensory themed sessions, acquiring toys, seating aids and resources.

Jolly Josh was also able to provide special themed boxes of toys and aids which, as well as being a fantastic opportunity for families to access different themed play facilities at home, continues to provide income to the charity.

Becoming a charity…

In 2018, Jolly Josh became a charity! Within the first year of starting, Jolly Josh welcomed 63 families and 23 professionals from the NHS, other charities, and services, enabling children and families to connect, support and thrive.

In September 2019, Carole was able to make the announcement that, thanks to the generosity of two local businessmen, Peter Cordwell of PGC and Dan Taylor of Kerf Developments, Jolly Josh would soon be opening a brand new, bespoke facility – 'A Place To Call Home'.

Plans for the centre included providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for its visitors and specialist play equipment, a support team, as well as much-needed hoists and bespoke Changing Places facilities.

Sarah explained: "Changing Places gives carers access to a purpose built changing and toilet facility including a height adjustable adult sized secure changing bench, ceiling track hoist and ample space. The centre’s Changing Place provides its users with a private, comfortable, and dignified place to get changed, use the toilet facilities, or simply to change pads."

In April 2022, following delays caused by the pandemic, 'A Place To Call Home' opened its doors.

The Jolly Josh Hydrotherapy pool…

Jolly Josh is opening a new hydrotherapy pool this month for 0-19 year olds with PMLD, complex medical needs and disabilities.

The hydrotherapy experience is a multisensory environment which helps to stimulate a child’s senses at the same time as having a calming effect on children with sensory and learning difficulties.

Sarah said: "The hydrotherapy pool is the only facility in the borough specifically for children with complex medical needs and will be a wonderful place for families to make forever memories while enjoying relaxing splash sessions together.

"Before now parents would have to travel to Manchester for their children to experience the benefits of warm water therapy. Among the many advantages of hydrotherapy, the experience of buoyancy in the pool assists children with movement in the water."

Exciting future plans...

With the Jolly Josh centre now open and running daily sessions for PMLD children of all ages and with October seeing a full timetable of availability for the Hydrotherapy Pool, the charity’s aim is to spread the word so as many children and families in the community can benefit from the services it offers.

A Jolly Josh session costs £23 to fund a child and their family to join in and £30 for a hydrotherapy session. Jolly Josh sessions are free of charge to children and their families.

Sarah commented: "The impact these sessions has on individuals and families is immeasurable and over the next 18 months we'll be concentrating all its efforts to welcoming as many visitors as possible to the Centre."

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY...

Saturday 24th September (10am-2pm): Celebrate the opening of the new hydrotherapy pool and 5th Anniversary

Saturday 26th November: Christmas Fair

Other events include: Jolly Josh Jingle Jumpers Appeal Virtual Christmas Cards Christmas Afternoon tea

Jolly Josh, Ensor Mill, Queensway, Castleton, OL11 2NU.

See jollyjosh.co.uk for more details

Lucy Fieldhouse - Community Features Writer

(Photos: Visitors at the opening of "A Place To Call Home" in April 2022)