Jolly Josh - centre celebrations, circus & carnival fun

April this year saw Castleton based children’s charity Jolly Josh, celebrate a year since opening its doors to welcome children and families living with complex medical needs and physical disabilities.

"This year has flown by", said Centre Manager, Sarah Ford. "It only seems like yesterday that the Mayor of Rochdale, Cllr Aasim Rashid, cut the ribbon to officially open Jolly Josh, and we were able to welcome families into the Centre’s safe, inclusive and accessible space."

Over the last 12 months the team at The Jolly Josh Centre has introduced eighty families to a variety of play and social sessions for 0–19-year-olds, including Early Years, Sing and Sign, Sensory Touch and Music, and a range of warm waterbased sessions in the Centre’s Hydrotherapy Pool.

"It’s heart-warming to know that by opening the Jolly Josh Centre, children, young people and their families now have a special place to connect with and support each other, giving them so many more opportunities to live their best lives and thrive, and hearing our families feedback is reward in itself", enthused Sarah.

Circus and Carnival Fun

Hydrotherapy Lead, Natalie, and Session Facilitators, Anna and Rachel, are continually exploring how they can expand children’s horizons and recently celebrated two big social successes.

At the beginning of June, Jolly Josh families enjoyed the tumblers, trapeze artists, roller-skating acrobatics, singing and dancing when they visited to the Circus Starr Big Top at Daisy Nook Country Park.

Fresh from their circus experience, two weeks later Jolly Josh families had another opportunity for a fun day out, this time with a fundraising twist.

Community Fundraiser, Lillie Winterbottom said:

"The charity was honoured to have been chosen as the Charity of the Year by the Committee of The Milnrow and Newhey Community Carnival, and we wanted our carnival float to stand out! By enlisting the help of Jolly Josh supporters including Manchester based architects, PRP, transport specialist Graham Poole Road Transport, and building contractor H Bell & Sons, together we were able to create an amazing ‘Sunken Treasure’ themed, wheelchair accessible float."

"The carnival parade was a wonderful experience for us all and was a great opportunity to tell everyone that Jolly Josh is here for our community, and importantly, that we will do all we can to make the seemingly inaccessible, accessible for our families", added Lillie.

"Being part of the Jolly Josh float in the carnival parade was epic! We had bubble guns, music and all sorts of inflatable sea creatures hanging from the roof, and even a shipwreck with treasure chests", said Dawn who accompanied her daughter Francesca and P.A. Kat on the float. “Dawn added, "It was truly an amazing day."

Jolly Josh has again been honoured by the communities of Milnrow and Newhey, having been chosen as the Carnival’s Charity of the Year for 2024 – save the date for next year’s extravaganza on 15th June!

Look out for Team Jolly Josh at October’s Williams BMW Half Marathon, 10k and Fun Run and if you would like to join the team of runners contact Community Fundraiser, Lillie Winterbottom lillie@jollyjosh.co.uk