YOUNG adults at a Sutton Scotney-based hospice enjoyed their very own festival, Jestival, alongside friends and family earlier this month.

Jestival is a special event for Jacksplace, which is the only hospice for young adults in the region. The festival returned for the first time since before the lockdown in 2019.

Local artists, Calum Lintott and Rob Clamp both from Southampton, Helena Mace and Grant James from Bournemouth, and Maddison Douch from Winchester, all volunteered their time to play at the festival and spent time afterwards chatting with the young adults and their family and friends.

Carol Ransome, head of Jacksplace, said: “It’s important that young people with all disabilities have the opportunity to experience what other young people can. It’s very difficult for our young people to access other festivals, and they may not feel confident to do so, so to create a nice, social, safe environment for the young people to have fun, is really important.

“A highlight for me today has been having the opportunity to spend some quality time with all the young people and their families and friends, to catch up, have some fun, let our hair down and have a bit of a dance. I’d like to thank everyone that has volunteered.”

SEE ALSO: Sutton Scotney charity sets running challenge to raise money for children's hospices

Calum added: “It’s been a fantastic day. It’s a massive honour and pleasure to be invited to come and play here – it’s such a heart-warming experience to see everyone smiling, dancing, and eating fajitas! The vibe and atmosphere has been lovely – way better than Glastonbury!”

Two young adults who attended the festival, playfully nicknamed on the day as ‘The Rainbow Girls’ due to their bright and colourful attire, shared their experience. They said: “It’s been amazing, we’ve loved all of it, particularly the dancing and candy floss! The fajitas and hot dogs were so good! We love Jacksplace, and we’re so grateful to be involved.”

The festival was held in the Jacksplace gardens, featuring a marquee for the live music, decorated in brightly coloured bunting, flowers and decorations, a massage tent, a barbecue hut, a treats station, a face painting station, a bar with playfully named mocktails, a photo booth and outdoor games. 

To find out more about Jacksplace, visit: naomihouse.org.uk/about-us/jacksplace.

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