We like to mix it up – inflatable reindeer antler quoits, crosswords, board games to wonderful instrumental performances – our school children really do know how to spread JOY to our older communities across East Grinstead. We are now proudly working with six schools, from a pre-school nursery through to sixth form students at a local secondary. The connections at all ages are so genuine and heartwarming. We were lucky enough to help Trevor at Truscott Manor care home celebrate his 100th birthday just before Christmas. What a milestone, and the reaction from the children was priceless at meeting such an active, chatty centenarian!
Our work on JOY Life Stories has also been progressing well, as our A-level students focus in the development of their books, after having spent several weeks listening to snippets from their partners’ lives. They plan to complete their books in time for a celebration event in May.
More on this next time!
We were delighted to be chosen for the retiring collection by Fletching Singers, a local choir at their Epiphany concert in January. It was a very special evening of music and poetry to a packed-out audience in Fletching Church. Filippa was kindly given the opportunity to say a few words about our work, which is always helpful to raise our profile locally. A massive thank you to the choir and especially to Georgie for nominating us and to Suzanne and Linda for giving us a small mention on local Ashdown Radio.
Outside of my career as a music composer, I have a number of passions including tennis, golf, Liverpool FC and time spent with family and friends in our Tuscan home from home. Not to mention my wife and two wonderful daughters, who as young adults have now (almost) flown the nest. If you were to ask either of my daughters which of the countless parental aphorisms we’ve uttered over the years they most associate with me, it would hopefully be ‘Kindness costs nothing’. It is something I have tried to live by, on both a professional and personal front, my entire life. Because not only does it cost nothing, it also always has an incalculably positive impact on whomever is the recipient. Which is why I was so thrilled to be asked by Filippa (my youngest sister) to join the board of directors for TKC, because we definitely need more kindness in our lives – now more than ever.
*East Grinstead Common Good Trust for grant funds to help us continue spreading our JOY.
*The Fletching Singers choir for choosing us for their concert collection in January (see above/left).
*Staff at all our Project JOY schools, care homes, Age UK East Grinstead & District and all our volunteers for making such a difference.
*Dave Brundish (Filippa’s husband) for helping with our fabulous new TKC flyer.
*Our directors, donors and volunteers – it is very much a team effort so thank you for helping.
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