In August, ROC Northwest hosted a summer fair at one of their residential care homes in aid of St. John’s Hospice. St. John’s is a hospice in Lancaster that has been providing free palliative care to patients with life shortening conditions since 1986.
The hospice was chosen as a cause collectively by the children and staff at the ROC Northwest residential home as one they wanted to support to give back to the community. ROC Northwest offers education, residential and domiciliary care for children and young people with autistic spectrum disorders, physical disabilities and complex needs.
The fair was hosted at The Hawthorns, one of ROC Northwest’s newest additions which provides facilities for residential care for children aged 8 to 18. The home is specially adapted to the needs of children with Social, Emotional and Behavioural difficulties. The facilities and the care provided is designed to integrate the children into the community, promoting positive social skills that can be take into independent life in the future.
The event was attended by the local police community support officer, social workers, local advocates, and staff from other ROC homes. The attendees were able to enjoy a bouncy castle, an ice cream van, as well as a charity raffle and other stalls.
The role the children played in hosting guests on the day and organising raffles and games was testament to the fantastic work done by the staff at ROC Northwest and an example of how the home readies young people for life after care. Their efforts in contacting local businesses to donate prizes for the raffle in the run up to the event was instrumental in its success.
The event was a great success, with £460 being raised on the day for what the staff described as a “brilliant local charity”, adding that the young residents “played a fundamental part on the day”. As part of the CareTech family, the £460 raised will be matched by a £250 donation from the CareTech Foundation through its match-funding scheme.
St. John’s Hospice is 70% funded by donations, if you would like to make a donation please visit their donations page.