Jeremiah's Journey

10/11/2024

"Lest We Forget"...

Remembrance Sunday is a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.

We remember the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, the vital role played by the emergency services and those who have lost their lives as a result of conflict.

09/11/2024

Final post for
Co-Founder | Clinical Lead Trustee

Jeremiah’s Journey was co-founded by four truly inspirational women 28 years ago. We are absolutely honoured that Professor Jacqui Stedmon one of this incredible team is still as much a driving force of our charity now, as she was in its conception.

Recently described by our Bereavement Services Coordinator Sian Lacy as the golden thread that runs through the heart of JJs. Jacqui is our clinical lead and oversees all the bereavement services that we deliver, as well as running our family therapy clinic, parents and carers group grief programme and being the point of escalation for all our more complex case work.

Her academic role continues as an Honorary University Fellow with the University of Plymouth, she is a former Consultant Clinical Psychologist within the NHS, has held roles as Mental Health Advisor to the Paediatric Mental Health Association and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and as Chair of the Paediatric Psychology Network. This latter organisation awarded her the Judith Houghton Award in 2017 for a lifetime career achievement in contributing to paediatric psychology. She was also an Advisor to the Healthy School Project (Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health).

Thousands of local families have been supported by Jacqui through their grief journey and she is quite simply an undisputed community hero.

Thankyou Jacqui… for everything x

We are so grateful to everyone who has engaged so positively with our posts of gratitude for our awesome trustees this week, we are so lucky to have such a committed and talented board.

08/11/2024

Ian G |

Ian Gordon first joined JJs as a fundraising volunteer with his partner Wendy and together they spent many years raising vital funds and awareness to keep the charity going, before Wendy sadly died unexpectedly in October 2021.

Ian and his two younger siblings were bereaved of both parents when he was in his early twenty’s and at that time, there had not been a service like ours to support them. His passion and commitment for the work we do comes from his own deep understanding and lived experience of the impact that grief can have.

Ian is a problem solver, practical and resourceful, he is also one of the most genuine and kind people you could ever wish to meet. When we can’t get a gazebo to go up properly and he calmly says “well it would help if you had it the right way up” he does make us all laugh out loud. We love having him around and have been delighted to welcome lovely Linda to the team.

As well as being an extremely dedicated and insightful board member, Ian is a stalwart support around the office, fixing things, ordering fundraising merchandise, attending cheque presentations on behalf of the charity.

When off duty.... he can be found watching a grand prix race or up at Silverstone volunteering as a VIP chauffeur for all the celebrities and their entourage!

We know how proud Wendy would be that Ian is still at heart of all things here, he is JJs family through and through ❤️

08/11/2024

Vice Chair |

Paul Jarvis joined us as a trustee in 2020 and is a very active member of the board in more ways than one. Along with his son Adam, they help our super playful Jeremiah Bear get out and about for photos with his fans, appearances on open top buses, or to complete the odd 5k here and there!

Paul is a chartered engineer, a Fellow of the Society for Radiological Protection and has served as an elected member of the UK Protection Council Jarvis Nuclear

We can always rely on Paul to drill down into the detail, nothing gets past him that is not in the best interests of JJs and he brings much valued insights to all aspects of charity operations. Always on hand with a warm smile, to give his advice and guidance, he cares very much about all our wonderful staff and volunteers and their wellbeing.

We are so lucky to have Paul and his lovely family as such valued members of .

07/11/2024

Dynamic New Trustee |

Ian Russell is the newest member of our board of trustees and was voted on at our AGM earlier this year. He was moved to become more involved after choosing us as the main charity recipient of The Building Forum for Devon and Cornwall’s annual fundraising, during his time as Chairman.

Ian set up his own Architectural Practice, Design Development Ltd, over 20 years ago and has a fantastically talented and ever-growing team handling a diverse portfolio across the Southwest.

Ian’s drive, passion and dynamism has been evident from the outset and he is currently leading the charities relocation project as part of our new strategic plan. With his expertise and vision at the helm, we are planning to have a new HQ that is fit for purpose and gives us the platform to increase our grief services for everyone that needs us.

In addition, he is a thoroughly lovely guy, and we could not be happier to have him on .

07/11/2024

JINGLE AND JOY FOR JEREMIAH'S JOURNEY |

With rehearsals in full swing, the team here and at La La Choirs cannot wait to host this magical evening of festive cheer for you all.
Joined by Plymouth City Brass, the choirs will bring the roof off at Plymouth Methodist Central Hall with jingles and joy to lift the soul!

With just under a month to go, it's the perfect way to get in the festive mood whilst making a BIG difference to a small charity.

Get your tickets now by visiting
https://www.lalachoirs.co.uk/product/jingle-and-joy-7th-december-2024/

🎅⛄🎁🔔🎄

06/11/2024

Girl Power |

Tara Physick was moved to join us as a trustee after the tragedy of the Keyham shootings, she recognised what a huge support our specialists in traumatic bereavement had been to the local community and wanted to make a difference.

Tara co-founded https://www.hoteldirect.co.uk// in 1997 and has been a director of the business ever since. She brings a wealth of experience to our board, with a particular specialism in marketing and communications.

With her eye for the detail, strategic thinking and extensive ability to see the solution quickly; we all LOVE

06/11/2024

SANTA FUN RUN 2024 |

Don't just take our word for it! Our amazing ambassador, Issy, is here to tell you just how much fun you can have at the Plymouth santa fun run this year 😀!

Join the team of Santas as they turn the city red and white for the day!
Sunday 8th December - 11am start.

Thanks to Saltram Rotary Club and Plymouth Waterfront Partnership for supporting Jeremiah's Journey and our friends at Shekinah with this amazing event!

To sign up or for more information, visit
https://www.plymouthsantafunrun.co.uk/

We can't wait to see you all there 🎅🎅🎅!

05/11/2024

Expert Skills |

Our much valued long standing board member, Eric Cowsill, holds the rare distinction of being both a solicitor and financial advisor. He has been involved in Jeremiah’s Journey since the charity was founded 28 years ago and offers a unique perspective in his approach to problem solving.

Eric holds extensive knowledge of general charity governance, legal and contractual matters as well as being a source of historical data on all things Jeremiah’s Journey. Charites rely on a strong and diverse trustee board to enable them to flourish, and we are grateful to have Eric’s vital skills as part of Team JJs.

05/11/2024

Caring at Christmas |

We welcome our families to join us at our upcoming event, Caring at Christmas.
Here at Jeremiah’s Journey, we know that Christmas can be a tricky time for those who have experienced the death of a loved one, especially if this is the first Christmas without them. This event will be a lovely way to pay tribute to that special person, as well as getting involved in some arts and crafts and festive fun.
Please get in touch if you would like further information or to book your place; just PM us and we will be in touch asap!

04/11/2024

Unsung heroes |

Trustees’ week offers the opportunity to shine a spotlight on some of the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes as part of our amazing board of trustees.

Our hugely dedicated Chair of Trustees, Helen Taylor, has been volunteering to support bereaved families here at Jeremiah's Journey for the last 28 years.

As well as carrying out her important governance role, she is also a key volunteer in our core weekly group grief programme. Every week, she supports the younger children that need our vital services after the death of someone special, with age-appropriate specialist interventions.

Along with her trustee colleagues, Helen is passionate in her drive to ensure that Jeremiah’s Journey remains at the forefront of specialist grief support in the city and surrounding areas. In her ‘day job’ Helen is a full time primary school teacher.

Thanks Helen... you are hugely valued not just by Team JJs, but also by all the thousands of families that you have supported over so many years.

04/11/2024

How you are helping |

When a child or young person comes to us, we provide a care pack full of items to help support them on their grief journey.

Your donations help fund these items that make such a difference:

£8 covers the cost of a teddy bear
£10 funds an age related book to support understanding of what's happened.
£25 covers the cost of the overall care pack with these and other resources.

If you feel that you can support us, please follow the link to make a donation and help us support children, young people and their families on their grief journey.

https://donate.justgiving.com/charity/jeremiahsjourney/donation-amount

02/11/2024

Saturday morning shout out for "The Plymuff Players" grown-up's Pantomime in December, staring our wonderful Team JJs ambassador Suzy.

Barbican Theatre Suzy Bennett

Have you booked your tickets yet for this years Barbican Theatre Christmas show 'The Plymuff Players Present: Ciderella'?

We are thrilled by all of your excitement surrounding Ciderella already! We can't wait for this hilarious show!

Don't miss out- book now at barbicantheatre.co.uk

01/11/2024

Thanks so much to all our followers who voted for us! Art the Clown came 2nd in the vote and we won a £100 donation....
Bright Solicitors

01/11/2024

Research Study | University of Plymouth

Miriam was supported by Jeremiah’s Journey as a child and is now doing research with our co-founder and Trustee, Professor Jacqui Stedmon at the University of Plymouth. The research is about how families remember the person who has died and they hope it will be used to help bereaved families in the future.
If you would be interested in taking part or finding out more, please email Miriam at [email protected]. Please see comments for more information.

31/10/2024

The vote closes at 11.59pm TONIGHT.

fans and could you please click the link below and vote for Art the Clown which has been made to fundraise for Jeremiah's Journey

Thank you

Our annual Halloween Pumpkin Competition is back and the entries are even better this year! View and vote for your favourite here.

31/10/2024

Musical Marvel |

Our huge thanks go out to the pupils from Lizzie Houlton Music who put on a concert to raise funds for Jeremiah's Journey thanks to a nomination from Leila - one of her pupils.

An amazing £381.50 was raised through ticket sales and the generosity of the audience.
James (our senior grief practitioner) enjoyed hearing all of the talented pupils playing at Emmanuel Church, to raise money for us. Thanks for Leila for nominating us and a certain 7-year-old for telling James all about his granny, who used to make him cake. Memories are made of this!

Community support like this is so greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone who contributes to this amazing total.

https://www.lizziehoultonmusic.co.uk/piano-lessons

30/10/2024

JINGLE AND JOY FOR JEREMIAH'S JOURNEY |

After their big success last year, the outstanding La La Choirs, led by musical director Sam, are back with a BANG! to raise money for Jeremiah's Journey.

Not only will they be joined by Plymouth City Brass, but also the wonderful Jeremiah’s Joy Choir - who were established to provide a space for anyone who has been bereaved as a child or young person (including adults who were bereaved as children).

It was an absolute hit last year so please head to their website to purchase those tickets and really make a difference to our small, self-funded charity 🎟️ .

https://www.lalachoirs.co.uk/product/jingle-and-joy-7th-december-2024/
🎅⛄🎁🔔🎄



kindly sponsored by Michael Spiers Jewellers