A donation from the East Lancashire Mark Benevolent Fund is supporting Jolly Josh’s work with children and families whilst shining a light on a charity that deserves to be better known.
The visit was attended by W.Bro. Stephen Bolton and W.Bro. Ian Paul, both directors of The ELMBF. We were met by Sarah Ford (Centre Manager), Emma Hutchinson (Hydrotherapy Lead) and members of their fundraising team. A conversation about charitable giving turned to something rather unexpected: a bottle of orange cordial…!
The team explained that some families who cannot afford a substantial donation still like to contribute something towards the centre they value so much. It might be refreshments, materials for activities or an everyday item from the charity’s wish list. These gifts are warmly appreciated, both for their practical usefulness and for the generosity behind them.
It was a small example, but a revealing one. Here is an organisation that recognises the value of every contribution, understands that people have very different means, and takes care over how its money is spent.
The visit included the presentation of a £5,000 cheque from the East Lancashire Mark Benevolent Fund (ELMBF) to support the charity’s work.
Based in Castleton, Rochdale, Jolly Josh welcomes children and young people aged 0–19 who live with complex medical needs and physical disabilities. Through accessible play, social activities and hydrotherapy sessions, it brings children, parents, carers and siblings together in a setting designed around their needs.
The Little Boy Behind the Name
Jolly Josh began with a mother’s determination to address a gap in support that she had experienced herself.
While caring for her son Joshua, founder Carole Kelly recognised the need for somewhere families could meet, share experiences and enjoy activities together. She wanted to create opportunities for children with additional needs and their siblings, while helping parents form connections with others who understood their circumstances.
Joshua sadly died in August 2017, aged just 15 months. The first Jolly Josh sessions opened one month later, carrying forward the plans made during his life.
What began as a small group has developed into a dedicated centre. Behind that progress are years of voluntary effort, fundraising and community support, driven by the wish to make life better for other families. Joshua’s legacy is reflected in the charity’s continuing purpose: helping families to connect, support and thrive.
A Centre Designed Around the Children Who Use It
Accessibility at Jolly Josh is about much more than being able to enter the building.
Its facilities include specialist seating, mobility aids and play equipment, alongside sensory toys, a ball pit, a dark den and an interactive “Magic Carpet”. These resources help create opportunities for children with different needs to explore and participate in a supported environment.
The programme includes early-years activities such as Stay and Play, Sing and Sign, and Sensory Touch and Music, as well as after-school provision and social opportunities for older children and young people. The range matters: support should not end when a child outgrows a particular activity or reaches a new stage in life.
In an interview published earlier this year, the charity explained that mainstream environments cannot always safely accommodate the children it supports. Appropriate facilities can therefore make the difference between a family being able to take part and finding themselves excluded. Jolly Josh works to remove those barriers, offering somewhere children can participate with dignity and families can feel understood.
Making Time in the Water Accessible
One of the centre’s important facilities is its hydrotherapy suite.
The pool is maintained at approximately 35°C and is supported by equipment including an electronic hoist, suitable slings, an adult-sized changing table and accessible showering facilities. Sessions led by the charity’s hydrotherapy lead are individually risk-assessed with parents or carers, taking account of each child’s needs and wellbeing. These practical arrangements make access to the water possible in a carefully supported setting. Jolly Josh also offers opportunities for families to enjoy the pool together.
Crucially, hydrotherapy sessions are offered free of charge to Jolly Josh families. That makes fundraising especially important: providing the facility without a charge to those families does not remove the cost of running it.
Supporting the Family and Not Just the Child
Jolly Josh also recognises the importance of connection between parents and carers.
Its Coffee and Catch-up gatherings provide a relaxed opportunity to meet over a light lunch, exchange experiences and develop a support network. The intention is simple but important: to bring together people who understand the challenges and achievements involved in caring for a child with complex needs.
A conversation with another parent cannot remove every difficulty. It can, however, offer a different kind of support from an appointment or a formal service: the reassurance of being listened to by someone with relevant experience.
Dignity is also reflected in the centre’s practical facilities. During the visit, discussion turned to its Changing Places toilet, which includes an adjustable adult-sized changing table and a ceiling hoist. The charity makes this facility available to disabled people visiting Rochdale, extending its usefulness beyond the families attending its activities.
For anyone who needs this equipment, suitable changing facilities are not an optional extra. They are an essential consideration when planning time away from home.
The Continuing Cost of Keeping the Centre Available
Providing this level of support brings an ongoing financial commitment.
In a February 2026 interview, Jolly Josh fundraiser Liz Dodd said the charity needed to raise £330,000 a year to maintain the centre. That figure gives an indication of the scale of the fundraising task behind its day-to-day work.
Jolly Josh seeks support through community fundraising, donations and business relationships, alongside grants. Its published funding announcements include support from Action Together and Rochdale Borough Council, illustrating the range of contributions involved in sustaining its services.
The costs do not end when a building opens or a piece of equipment is purchased. A warm-water pool needs heating, cleaning and maintenance. Accessible facilities need to remain safe and usable. Activities require people, materials and suitable spaces.
Supporting these everyday costs may be less visible than funding a new room or a major piece of equipment, but it is just as necessary.
The team’s careful approach to spending was evident in the conversation during the visit. Their wish list includes modest, practical items because these are things the charity would otherwise need to buy. Refreshments and activity materials may appear small beside a substantial grant, but they still have a place in keeping the centre running.
An Invitation to Lodges, Provinces and Businesses
The ELMBF’s £5,000 donation is a welcome contribution to this work. It is also an opportunity to introduce Jolly Josh to others who may be looking for a worthwhile cause to support.
For Lodges, other Masonic Orders and Provinces, fellow fraternal organisations and local businesses, there are several ways to become involved. A charitable donation is one option. A fundraising evening, sponsored challenge, workplace collection or contribution of useful goods could offer another.
Jolly Josh actively encourages community fundraising, from sponsored walks and runs to cake sales, coffee mornings and workplace events. Support can begin with an activity that suits the people taking part, rather than an ambitious target that feels out of reach.
Businesses also have a ready-made route through the Jolly Josh Anchor Network. This brings local firms together for quarterly networking while supporting the charity. Published membership options are £20 a month or £200 a year, and the network also welcomes involvement through sponsorship, goods and services, volunteering and fundraising initiatives.
An ongoing relationship could be particularly valuable. Rather than making a single contribution and moving on, a Lodge or business could speak with the team about its priorities and consider how to offer support over time.
There is no expectation that every supporter can give £5,000. The conversation about a bottle of orange cordial made that clear. What matters is finding a way to help that is useful to the charity and manageable for the person or organisation giving.
The East Lancashire Mark Benevolent Fund is proud to support Jolly Josh. We encourage others to get to know the charity, speak to its team and consider how they might help sustain the facilities, activities and family connections it provides.
Find Out More or Offer Your Support
To discuss a donation, fundraising activity or a visit, contact Jolly Josh directly. The centre asks prospective visitors to make contact first so an appointment can be arranged. Further information is available through the charity’s website.
Telephone: 01706 399141
Email: sarah@jollyjosh.co.uk.
Website: https://jollyjosh.co.uk/
Registered charity number: 1178116.
