Last weekend, young adults’ hospice, Jacksplace, hosted a festival for the young adults that use the hospice service, alongside their family and friends.
Jestival is an internal, annual festival held at Jacksplace. This year’s event featured live music from local musicians, stilt walker, Jonquil, canapes, lawn games, mocktails designed by the young adults, glitter face painting, festival crafts and lots of singing and dancing from the staff and attendees.
Local bands, Firefly (from Winchester) and Fables (a duo from Southampton) volunteered their time to play at the festival and spent some time dancing and chatting with the young adults and staff. Naomi House & Jacksplace’s very own Chaplain, Rev. Nicky Smallwood, was a singer in the band, Firefly.
Play and Activities Team Leader, Claire Potterton, whose team organised the event, said:
“There are so many festivals on at this time of year, so it felt like the perfect time for us to bring everyone together here for an extra special summer celebration for our young adults, in the comfort of the Jacksplace grounds.
“The local community and everyone at the hospices pulled out all the stops and created an authentic, vibrant, colourful festival, filled with love. Thanks to local musicians, our amazing catering team, external supporters, volunteers, staff at the hospice, and of course, the young adults, the day came together beautifully. We had beautiful sunshine, laughter, music, food, great company, and the conga! It truly was our own little fantastic Glastonbury in the garden!”
Fables volunteered at the festival in 2023 and even extended their set this year, as everyone was having such a good time. Band members, Emily and Justin, said:
“Jestival was amazing! We were lucky to get the warm, sunny version instead of a ‘bring your wellies’ kind of day. Add in the dancing and singing, and you can wrap Jestival up in one word – perfect!
“The best part of any festival or gig is the people. We loved having a chat with the festival go-ers and it was wonderful to watch the staff, young people, and their families letting their hair down and having a great time.
“For us to be able to bring some of that joyful, coming-of-age and community experience to Jacksplace is more rewarding than playing to hundreds at a festival or to a sold out show in London. We’re so grateful to share the time with everyone and it’s a tremendous privilege to get to be part of it all!”
A special thank you to Jude’s Ice Cream for donating ice cream for the event, and to The Boaz Project for donating the hay bales.
Jacksplace is the only hospice in central southern England that offers care, support, independence, empowerment and dignity for life limited and life threatened young adults from the age of 16. To find out more, visit: www.naomihouse.org.uk/jacksplace
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Photo credit: Jon Bolton
Naomi House & Jacksplace are hospices supporting life-limited and life-threatened children, young adults and their families from across the central South of England.
Naomi House nursing and medical staff provide individualised care that helps to enhance short lives and allows approximately 550 families to make the most of their precious time with their children.
Jacksplace is the only hospice for young adults in the South of England. The medical and care teams offer specialist care, often over many years, and uphold the dignity and independence of young adults accessing the service.
Naomi House & Jacksplace will be there on good days, difficult days and last days.
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