As we look back over the year from April 2024 to March 2025, we are filled with gratitude and pride. At JIGSAW Thornbury, our mission to support children and young people with additional needs or disabilities, and their families, has never felt more vital. Thanks to the unwavering support of our community, partners, funders, volunteers, and families, we’ve been able to make a meaningful difference in many lives with 2,436 check ins recorded – that’s 2,436 moments of connection, fun and inclusion!
A Year of Connection and Growth
Over the year, 420 events were delivered, with 612 individual participants joining in with our activities. This marks a remarkable 78% increase in individuals attending events over just two years, showing just how much our community values and needs what we offer.
We’re proud that 98% of our survey respondents told us that attending a JIGSAW activity improved their wellbeing. Everything at JIGSAW is driven by the passion of our staff, volunteers, members and supporters. With wellbeing as one of our 4 strategic areas making up the JIGSAW acronym, this is a statistic that is very important to us.
Recognition and Awards
We were honoured this year to receive the Thornbury Mayor’s Community Hero Organisation Award. Our CEO was also named a finalist in the Community Hero Individual Award. These recognitions reflect the dedication of our whole team and the impact of our collective efforts. It was a true honour to be nominated by some of our young members, voted for by members of the community and chosen by Thornbury Town Council.
The Power of Youth Volunteers
Our youth volunteers continue to inspire us. Over the year, 18 youth volunteers contributed an amazing 398 hours of their time. One of these incredible young people, Grace, gave an astonishing 138.5 hours and was recognised as a Bristol Young Hero in the Community of Purpose 2025 awards.
Grace’s story is one of resilience and hope. Her mother, Sarah, shared:
“My beautiful girl’s mental health was on a downward spiral and she was very angry most of the time. Grace’s anxiety was so severe that we couldn’t even go to the shops without her panicking that she would see people she knew. JIGSAW has become a second home for Grace and a safe haven for our family. I wouldn’t want to imagine what life would be like if we didn’t have these phenomenal people in our lives and am thankful for everything that has been achieved with their support.”
Youth-led Action: The WIDA Workshop
This May half term, our YES group (Youth Empowerment Sessions) took the lead and organised an inspiring Workshop on Inclusivity, Difference, and Accessibility (WIDA). They welcomed an incredible range of youth providers including Diversity Trust, Krunch Southwest, FACE, Creative Youth Network, South Gloucestershire Council, and the National Lottery Community Fund. We are pleased that Creative Youth Network has since commissioned some further training with us!
They ran workshops on sensory processing, Makaton signing, breathing techniques, memory games, and more. Personal experiences were shared through a Q&A and a beautiful poem about masking written by a group member, Ellie. The event was a fantastic example of youth voice in action. As Grace, one of the organisers, said:
“We want you to take away some things we have shared today and if you can make one change to make something more inclusive then you are doing a part to help more people struggling get the awareness and support they deserve”
The group has been working on this project since January, thinking about the changes they want to make and planning content and activities to help people understand what it is like to be a young person with additional needs or disabilities. They have created a short film to help everyone understand some of the main points they want to make.
A Community That Stands With Us
We couldn’t have the life changing impact we do without our supporters who we thanked recently at our annual JIGSAW June event, which aimed to celebrate our achievements and thank supporters for the part they play. You can view our presentation on the day by clicking this link: JIGSAW June 2025 presentation
We were humbled by the words of one of our funders following the event
“The meeting on Monday was so well prepared and thought through and it will have given considerable insight to your attendees.”
And another attendee shared:
“It was inspiring to meet the young people you work with and see how well they are flourishing. It gave me hope.”
At the event, we celebrated some examples of the amazing people and groups who contribute to our life changing impact. 
- A local resident took on a Women’s Lifting Challenge, raising £221, which her employer has kindly agreed to match.
- We are thrilled that Oldbury Power Station has chosen JIGSAW as their charity for 2025, taking on challenges like climbing Pen Y Fan with a trike and running a bake and rake sale.
- Phoenix Fun Events has also chosen to raise money for us throughout the year with fabulous events from a riverboat cruise on the Thames to a champagne afternoon tea!
- We are excited to announce that our friends at Thornbury Rotary will be raising funds for our services along with another local youth charity we work closely with, Krunch Southwest. Peter Ball, new President of the group, attended our JIGSAW June event and said
“Thanks for the reminder of what a worthwhile cause we’re supporting.”
This support all means so much and will allow us to continue, and expand, our vital work.
What’s Next?
We continue to focus on three key priorities for the future:
- Working with others to respond to growing community need
- Developing a social enterprise model with and for young adults with additional needs or disabilities
- Raising awareness of and meeting sensory and anxiety needs within the community
Thank you!
From all of us at JIGSAW – To our funders, volunteers, staff, collaborators, families, and community: thank you! Your belief in our mission and your continued support helps create a safe, inclusive space where children, young people, and their families can thrive.
As one of our young people simply put it:
“JIGSAW is awesome. Everyone is friendly. It’s when I can actually see people and see friends and feel included in my community.”
Here’s to another year of impact, inclusion, and community!