Worksop charity JOEL need your help after being shortlisted for £50,000 funding

Worksop charity JOEL are reaching out to the community for support after being shortlisted for an 'incredible' opportunity to scoop £50,000 of Big Lottery funding.
Pictured are members of the JOEL team.Pictured are members of the JOEL team.
Pictured are members of the JOEL team.

The charity, which assists Bassetlaw families who have been affected by baby loss, is one of five charities who have been shortlisted for funding for a specific project under the People’s Projects scheme.

JOEL’s project, Rainbow Rocks, aims to enhance the support the charity already provides- such as a pregnancy diary for mothers expecting after baby loss and an extension of their family support pack.

Rachel Hodges, JOEL vice chair, said: “This is such an incredible opportunity for us.

“We were really shocked to be placed in the top five contenders against projects from all over the country.

“We’d be so grateful if as many people as possible could get behind us by voting and raising awareness of how we help families across the district and beyond.

“The funding will enable us to reach and support more families through pregnancy and parenting after they have lost a baby- a time filled with huge fear and anxiety.

“Not only do we want to support parents but also grandparents, siblings, schools and employers and the extra funding will allow us to do this.”

Worksop residents, schools and businesses have already thrown their weight behind the campaign by displaying Rainbow Rocks banners in their windows.

You can vote for JOEL by visiting: https://www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk/projects/view/rainbow-rocks and following the instructions on screen.

To vote by post, write your name, address and telephone number on a postcard, stating Rainbow Rocks at JOEL as your chosen project, and send it to FREEPOST Peoples Projects.

You can also help by raising awareness of the charity on social media by using the hashtags #rainbowrocks and #teamjoel.

Find JOEL on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Joelthecompletepackage or follow @Joelthecompletepackage.

JOEL was founded in 2013 by Worksop resident Emma Pearson.

Emma and her partner Matthew had lost her twin sons Noel and James to stillbirth, and noticed there was little to no support for families through pregnancy after baby loss.

JOEL has gone from strength to strength, becoming a registered charity and raising more than £35,000 for a family suite at Bassetlaw Hospital.

It recently launched support packs and sessions for families who need further support.

The charity has a hub at The Golden Ball in Victoria Square.

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