NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

Welcome to this month’s round robin filled with all our news, events and the dates and times of our November Jolly Days.

A fond farewell to lovely Anni

We are sad to say that the wonderful Anni will be retiring at the end of this year. Although, we really don’t want to say goodbye, we are very happy for her and wish her a healthy and very long retirement. Anni has brought with her a wealth of experience to the Jollys, originally from a nursing background and having a deep understanding about health – she has been brilliant at supporting us all. She is a talented gardener and plantswoman, and we have benefitted hugely from her skills and knowledge over the last three years as she has run the ‘Step Outside’ allotment group at Kingston Lacy and brought it on in leaps and bounds. Thank you dear Anni, for all you have done to make our lives that bit more Jolly.

The Jolly door is always open to her, and we hope she might like to pop in occasionally and say hello and maybe have a lunch – we won’t make her do the washing up though!

The 2027 Jolly Calendar is on sale now

This years’ calendar is so full of colour and energy and is guaranteed to brighten up any dull day. It has the date of each Jolly Day printed on it and you can buy yours at any of our Jolly Days for £15 each with profits going to help Jolly Days continue. Contact us if you would like one and can’t get to a Jolly.

What a difference a Jolly Day makes…

Our latest Evaluation Report is now available to download from our website. Do take a look to discover more about the difference Jolly Days make and the creativity, friendship and connection at the heart of everything we do. It confirms what we have always suspected: being part of In Jolly Good Company has a positive impact on the wellbeing of our guests, carers and wider family members.

It’s been an exciting and creative year, with some wonderful highlights along the way. Our Beyond the Lines photography exhibition was a particular standout, made possible by our amazing guests working alongside Maxine Gonzalez Bridger and Brent Jones. We also began recording our very first podcast series with the patient and skilled Gary Jarman of Pageant Productions, opening up an exciting new chapter for us.

We’re proud of what our guests and Jolly community continue to achieve together, and grateful to everyone who makes these experiences possible.

Here’s to another year of trying new things, sharing stories and making memories. Let the creativity continue!

Excellent prizes are to be won at our Jolly Christmas Raffle this year!

There are End of the Road Festival tickets for two for the whole festival, including camping, and a two-night stay at Pepperpot Lodge, St Giles House, thanks to Lord Shaftesbury. Other prizes include tasty meals out, a cream tea for two at The Rising Sun in Shaftesbury, a gong bath at Sarpenela, a gift bag from Niwaki, a voucher from English Scent, a £50 voucher, bottles of wine, a beautiful hand-knitted bed throw and many more!

Tickets are only £2 each or £10 for a book of five. They are available at all Jolly Days and from the following local venues: King John Inn, Tollard Royal; Fluffetts Home and The Green Man in Wimborne; W S Clarke & Son Butchers in Sixpenny Handley; Pamphill Dairy Farm Shop and Chettle Village Stores.

If you would like to buy tickets but cannot get to a Jolly or one of these venues, please contact us. We are also looking for people who could help sell tickets at their workplace, business, club or private site, and we will happily deliver and collect them. We are still accepting prize donations, too, so please get in touch if you or your business could contribute.

The raffle will be drawn at our Jolly Carol Service on Friday 4th December at 6 pm at Wimborne St Giles Church. Come and join us for a festive sing and mince pies plus mulled wine. No need to book – just turn up!

What’s on in November

Wimborne

Museum of East Dorset, 23-29 High Street, BH21 1HR
(2 - 4 pm)

Thursday 5th
Music with ‘Bit of a Tonic’.

Thursday 19th
Music with Kate plus yoga with Suzanne.

Wimborne St Giles

Wimborne St Giles Village Hall, BH21 5LX
(12 pm - 3.30 pm - note earlier finish for the winter months)

Monday 2nd
A hearty lunch from The Friendly Food Club followed by card making with Max and yoga with Suzanne.

Monday 16th
Another yummy lunch and enchanting harmonies from ‘Two’s Company’.

Blandford

Woodhouse Gardens, DT11 7DN
(2 - 4 pm)

Monday 9th
Music from ’Two’s Company’ plus a pub party from King John’s Inn at Tollard Royal – a very special treat for you all! (non-alcoholic beer and snacks)

Monday 23rd
Welcome back to ‘Bit of a Tonic’!

Shaftesbury

Royal British Legion, Coppice Street, SP7 8PF
(10 am - 12 pm)

Tuesday 10th
Music with ‘Two’s Company’.

Tuesday 24th
Welcome back to Sarah Pugh.

West Moors

The Guide Hall, 24 Ashurst Road, BH22 0LS
(2 - 4 pm)

Wednesday 11th
Craft with Max.

Wednesday 25th
Yoga with Suzanne and a Jolly quiz.

The Jolly Brekkie club is back!

Our first Brekkie Club was a wonderful success last year, and we’re delighted that The Green Man in Wimborne have kindly agreed to welcome us back. The Brekkie Club is a lovely opportunity to meet up, make friends and enjoy good company over a delicious breakfast throughout the winter months.

Kat and Scott are offering Jolly guests a freshly cooked breakfast with tea or coffee for the special price of just £10 per person.

We’ll be meeting on the following Fridays at 10 am:
Friday 13th November
Friday 11th December
Friday 8th January
Friday 12th February
Friday 12th March

Booking is essential, contact Sarah at sarah@injollygoodcompany.com or call 07884 333117 to secure your place.

‘Just Sing’ Christmas Concert

Where:Lytchett Minster School, 69 Post Green Rd, BH16 6JD
When: Sunday 13th December, 4 pm, doors open 3.30 pm

A huge thank you to Just Sing Choir for choosing to support our work with its annual Christmas concert this year. Now in its 13th year, the choir will bring festive fun and Christmas cheer, with its wonderful 100-strong choir performing a selection of songs and inviting everyone to join in the celebrations.

Tickets are just £10 for adults, with children attending free but still requiring a ticket. Every ticket includes a free mince pie or sweet treat, and there will also be a fabulous raffle.

Become a Jolly Good Friend

We’d be so grateful if you would consider helping your small local charity to continue to support older people in your community. £5 a month pays for seeds at our Step Outside Allotment at Kingston Lacy, £10 a month pays for a meal at a Jolly Day or as part of our winter lunch delivery service, £20 plus helps us to provide creative opportunities and entertainment at our Jolly Days and supports local artists and musicians.

If you are a UK taxpayer, and can supply us with your name and address, we can collect Gift Aid to boost your contribution.

If you would like to set up a monthly Standing Order to help us, our bank details are as follows: In Jolly Good Company CIO Sort Code: 08 92 99 Account Number: 67375286

In return, you can receive our Jolly monthly newsletter, to see how we use your money and you are invited to our Jolly Good Friends Day annual get together.

Please get in touch with me for further information: sarah@injollygoodcompany.com / 07884 333117

See you at the Jollies