Thanks to the generosity of customers and colleagues at BH Live Active leisure centres in Portsmouth, Bournemouth, and East Dorset, more than 100 toys and gifts have been donated to two local children’s hospices.
All the gifts will be distributed to local families under the care of Julia’s House Children’s Hospices (Bournemouth) or Naomi House & Jacksplace (Portsmouth).
Julia’s House is a children’s hospice charity that provides critical and compassionate care to families of the most seriously ill children across Dorset and Wiltshire.
Naomi House and Jacksplace is a charity and hospices for children’s and young adults’ that provide care for more than 500 children with life limiting or life threatening conditions across central Southern England.
As a registered charity and social enterprise, BH Live continues to support local causes through partnership and charitable activities. This campaign is typical of BH Live’s mission as a social enterprise to enrich the lives of people in the communities they serve.
BH Live is a registered charity and social enterprise that operates leisure and event venues across Portsmouth, Croydon and the BCP region in partnership with Portsmouth City Council, Croydon Council, and BCP Council.
On behalf of BH Live, Rob Cunningham, Director of Leisure and Business Development, shared;
“I would like to offer a huge thank you to everyone who has helped to bring some festive joy to children and families undergoing some of the toughest times. It’s been a privilege to continue our support of Julia’s House and Naomi House and Jacksplace and the great work these charities do through this special gift donation – our teams are delighted by the show of generosity our colleagues and customers have displayed.”
On behalf of Julia’s House, Laura Maidment, Public Fundraising Manager shared;
“We’re overwhelmed by this incredibly kind donation of toys and gifts which will make Christmas extra special for the children and families cared for by Julia’s House. On behalf of everyone at Julia’s House, I’d like to say a massive thank you to BH Live and all of its customers who have so generously donated. Your support means so much.”
On behalf of Naomi House & Jacksplace, Pete Abrahams, Head of Supporter Services at Naomi House & Jacksplace, shared;
“We’re incredibly grateful for the amazing support given by BH live staff and customers this Christmas. It is a very poignant time of year at the hospices; and this generous support helps our Care Team create special memories for children, young adults and families.”
For more information about Julia’s House visit juliashouse.org.
For more information about Naomi House and Jacksplace visit naomihouse.org.uk.
For more information about BH Live, visit bhlive.org.uk.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, X – @BHLIVE_UK | Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive | Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Naomi House & Jacksplace
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.
About Julia’s House
Julia’s House is the local charity dedicated to supporting the families of children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions in the heart of the community in Dorset and Wiltshire. Many of these children require round-the-clock care, which has a huge impact on family life.
Julia’s House provides specialist care that’s individualised for each family and includes care for the seriously ill child, family support, emergency and end of life care. Parents can choose when, where and how they receive this support – at home, in the community or at one of the charity’s two hospices in Corfe Mullen and Devizes – making it a truly flexible service. Julia’s House is there for the whole family, not just the sick child, providing emotional support and social opportunities too for parents, grandparents and siblings to help break the cycle of anxiety and isolation that can lead a family to breaking point.
This regular clinical care, respite, practical and emotional support, plus emergency end of life care and bereavement support is provided completely free to families, thanks to the generosity of the local community. Julia’s House relies on public donations, fundraising and legacies for around 92% of the money needed to keep running its vital service in Dorset and Wiltshire.
Julia’s House children’s hospice cares for nearly 200 families across Dorset and Wiltshire. Currently nearly 80% of the children supported by Julia’s House need two care team members present during their community sessions due to the complexity of their condition. And as more life-limited children are living for longer and with increasingly more complex care needs, demand for the specialist care that Julia’s House provides is expected to rise in the coming years.
The service that Julia’s House provides has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission.
Julia’s House was named the UK’s ‘Best Charity to Work For’ at the Best Companies Awards in November 2023, and achieved a ranking of 14, its highest ever, in the national companies to work for category. Julia’s House has maintained its position in the Top 100 for the last fifteen years.
juliashouse.org | @juliashousechildrenshopsice | #juliashouse