Naomi and Jack’s recently hosted a festival at Jack’s Place for the young adults that use the hospice service, alongside their family and friends.
‘Jestival’ is an internal, annual festival held at Jack’s Place, the charity’s specialist centre for young adults with complex medical needs. This year’s event featured live music all day from local musicians, lawn games, a mocktail station, a sweet station, make-your-own festival accessories, crafts, glitter face paints by Nurse, Sian, and delicious food cooked by Naomi and Jack’s skilled cook, Katie.
There was a line-up of five local musicians and bands who donated their time to entertain at the festival. This included: Musician, Calum Lintott from Southampton, who recently supported McFly when they played at Southampton Football Club. The Daytonas, from the South Coast, of which the drummer is the daughter of Erika Lipscombe, Director of Care at Naomi and Jack’s. CAMHS band, featuring Richard, Matt and Jo, who are friends to the charity and all work/worked for the NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Ruby Red, a five-piece band that play in and around Southampton. And Oscar Renton, the husband of Doctor Kate Renton, Paediatric Palliative Care Consultant at Naomi and Jack’s.
Claire Potterton, Play and Activities Manager at Naomi and Jack’s, said:
“It was a joy to see everyone pull together to create a vibrant, joyous, energy-filled festival full of fun, laughter and love. An absolute highlight was the incredible live music. Five fantastic musicians/bands volunteered their time to perform and put on a fantastic show, and the young adults and families thoroughly enjoyed it. There were fun moments, calm moments and precious moments between friends and family members and the whole day was certainly one to remember.
“I’d like to thank local farm-based charity, The Boaz Project, who donated hay bales for the event; Jude’s ice cream for donating ice cream and to Andy Gale, who donates his PA system every year for Jestival. I also want to give a special mention to our care volunteers, the Play and Activities team and the Maintenance team at Naomi and Jack’s for putting so much time and effort into planning, setting up, decorating, hosting and making the event so special for the young adults and their families.”
Calum Lintott said: “Jestival is one of my favourite days of the year. Seeing the smiles on the young people’s faces is just joyous. The staff should be extremely proud of the event they have put together!”
Lorraine and Patrick, mum and dad to Callum who regularly visits Jack’s Place, said: “Callie loves rock music. We’re unable to attend gigs or festivals because they aren’t set up to meet Callie’s needs, so it’s fantastic to be able to come here and enjoy live music in a safe, comfortable and supportive environment.”
Jack’s Place is the only service of its kind in central southern England that offers care, support, independence, empowerment and dignity for seriously ill young adults from the age of 16. To find out more, visit: https://www.naomiandjacks.org.uk/life-at-naomi-and-jacks/welcome-to-jacks-place/
Lead Photo caption: Naomi and Jack’s staff and volunteers with musician, Calum Lintott at Jestival
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Naomi and Jack’s are an independent charity offering expert palliative care for children and young adults at their purpose-built hospice and in the community.
They support hundreds of families in central southern England, providing outstanding care, specialist short breaks and bereavement support. They are always there for end-of-life care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Naomi House provides individualised care for babies and children, supporting families to make the most of their precious time together.
Jack’s Place, the only hospice for young adults in the south of England, continues that care with unique services, social activities and a focus on independence.
Visit: https://www.naomiandjacks.org.uk/
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