This December, Jessie May welcomed 34 families to our annual Christmas Party – a celebration designed especially for the children and families we support. From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was full of excitement, laughter, and festive cheer.
The party was packed with magical activities for children and siblings, including:
- Lucy Lost-It as DJ and entertainer, keeping everyone dancing and entertained, with her big bubble maker a particular hit.
- Father Christmas in his grotto, giving every supported child a present and siblings a chocolate selection box kindly donated by Pear Tree Recruitment.
- Two roaming face painters, adding extra sparkle throughout the day.
- Craft station with wooden tree decorations, glass tealight holders, countdown to Christmas paperchains, and the chance for children to make their own badges.
- Virtual reality headsets, offering a hot air balloon ride with Father Christmas or a relaxing sleigh journey down a festive street.
- Elf on the Shelf treasure hunt, bringing extra excitement and festive fun.
- A surprise visit from Bluey and Bingo, delighting younger attendees.
- Fully inclusive Chill Out Zone, with sensory-friendly equipment from Gympanzees, providing a calm space for children who needed it.
- Mobiloo changing facility, introduced for the first time at the Christmas Party to ensure all families could enjoy the day comfortably.
- Family free prize draw, featuring amazing donations from companies including Dyson, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, The Village Hotel, The Bristol Beacon, Tynesfield National Trust, Marshfield Ice Cream, Tinto Lounge, Bath Race Course, Clevedon Pier, Hollywood Bowl, Vue Cinemas, The Entertainer, Next, Body Shop, Swagger in Chipping Sodbury, Avon Valley Railway, Cotswold Wildlife Park, and Avon Valley Country Park. A second free prize draw allowed families who couldn’t attend to receive similar gifts.
For children who were unable to attend, Jessie May gifted £5 National Book Tokens and LUSH bath bombs, with 133 generously donated by LUSH, ensuring no child was left out.
The event wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our volunteers – nurses, office staff, trustees, and external helpers including Julian, our volunteer photographer, Caryn’s partner who ran the VR experience, and a parent who provided transport for the Gympanzees equipment. We also arranged transport for a family who would otherwise have missed out, making sure every family could join in.
Jessie May’s Interim CEO, Andrea Choules reflects on the day; “Seeing our families come together in a space where they can spend quality time with one another, alongside other families in the same boat, is incredibly special. Opportunities like this are rare – many of these activities wouldn’t be accessible without us hosting them. Being part of these moments, where children and siblings can simply enjoy themselves and create lasting memories, is why we do what we do – supporting families so every child and sibling can experience the joy of Christmas.”
This Christmas Party offered families a rare opportunity to spend quality time together in a space with other families navigating similar challenges. Many of these activities aren’t easily accessible to families caring for children with complex needs, making the day even more special. Seeing children and siblings laugh, play, and create lasting memories reminded everyone why we host this event each year.
We are incredibly grateful to our supporters – from companies donating prizes and resources to individual donors and our Trustee-led mini appeal – for making this magical day possible. Your generosity ensures that every child and family can experience joy, connection, and treasured memories this festive season.
