3 year Lottery Funding Secured for The Joshua Tree and Petty Pool College

The Joshua Tree and Petty Pool College & Outdoor Centre, located within close proximity in Sandiway, Cheshire, have been awarded a substantial lottery funding bid for the next three years. These two organisations, known for their exceptional community support, are joining forces to launch a ground-breaking project aimed at benefiting children affected by cancer and young adults with learning disabilities.

The charities

The Joshua Tree provides essential support to families affected by childhood cancers, filling a crucial gap in non-hospital family services across the North-West England and North Wales. To date, The Joshua Tree has assisted over 550 families, totalling 1,650 individuals.

Their bespoke programme of support aims to improve the emotional health and wellbeing of the affected immediate and extended family members, as they learn to deal with the ‘ripple effect’ created by childhood cancer can have. From 1:1 counselling, educational support, wellbeing sessions, family fun events or bereavement support. The Joshua Tree’s purpose: to create safe, supportive spaces for families regardless of the duration or stage of their cancer journey.

Petty Pool College and Outdoor Centre serves over 110 students with learning disabilities and difficulties in Cheshire and the North-West. Their curriculum, focused on Preparation for Adulthood and Employment, promotes active citizenship and self-advocacy with an impressive track record of 99.4% of students achieving vocational qualifications in 2021-22 and all leavers securing positive destinations, including 22% gaining paid employment, surpassing the national average. As one student noted, “It’s where I belong and can be my best.”

The Collaboration

The collaborative effort between The Joshua Tree and Petty Pool College stems from a shared commitment to green prescribing which is recognised by NHS England for its potential to enhance overall wellbeing and reduce social isolation. By pooling their expertise and resources, both charities aim to provide tailored support to two diverse groups of young people facing different challenges.

The project will engage a minimum of 350 families, 60 students, 90 volunteers, and numerous community members. Activities will be hosted at both sites, offering a range of experiences to suit all participants.

For families affected by childhood cancers they will be able to enjoy nature-based events, holiday programmes, outdoor wellness sessions, animal therapy sessions, and plenty of adventure activities such as bush craft, rock climbing, gardening and outdoor cooking.

Childhood cancer is a worrying time. Parents often have concerns around their children facing dangers related to catching colds, getting dirty and engaging with animals whilst on treatment and beyond. These fears mean that families often choose not take part in outdoor activities and therefore children can miss out on key milestones in their development.

In a recent survey, all families reported that The Joshua Tree negated the risks and supported them to access outdoor activities safely and that they feel safe and secure at The Joshua Tree Support Centre and at the Petty Pool site. Families are safe in the knowledge they have access to simple amenities like parking, toilet access, refreshments and that they are surrounded by other families, support staff, volunteers and tutors who understand what they are going through and their health needs.

The collaboration project also offers the students of Petty Pool a variety of work placements, offering young people with learning disabilities valuable opportunities for skill development and community involvement. Currently, Petty Pool students help in of The Joshua Tree support centre through weekly gardening sessions. Students acquire transferable skills while contributing to the charitable efforts of The Joshua Tree.

Future Impact

Both The Joshua Tree and Petty Pool College are renowned for their positive impact on their respective communities and through this collaborative project, they aim to foster deeper connections and extend their network.

By securing , The Joshua Tree and Petty Pool College are poised to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, families, and young adults, empowering them to overcome challenges and embrace opportunities for growth and fulfilment.