Our first-ever Purple Party on November 1st was a night to remember. This brand-new event, hosted by Thornbury Golf Centre, brought together JIGSAW staff, supporters, and volunteers to celebrate inclusion, raise vital funds, and most importantly, showcase the incredible achievements of our Youth Volunteers.
The evening featured youth-led activities, games, awards, and heartfelt speeches, with young people taking centre stage. From welcoming guests and hosting, to sharing their JIGSAW Journeys, reading their poetry, and running games, our youth volunteers showcased exceptional confidence, creativity, and leadership.
I am incredibly proud of our youth volunteers and all they achieved. From those who worked innovatively behind the scenes to those who volunteered on the day to make it such a success – they were all inspiring examples of what young people with additional needs or disabilities can achieve when given the opportunity to thrive.
– Bonnie, JIGSAW Thornbury’s Community Fundraising and Participation Lead.
The experience gave 17 of JIGSAW’s youth volunteers the chance to develop valuable life skills such as public speaking, teamwork, event planning, creativity, and self-confidence. They also gained a deeper sense of belonging and trust – embodying this year’s Youth Work Week 2025 theme: Building Brighter Futures – Safe places, trusted support, and opportunities to thrive.
The sense of celebration and community was shared by our guests, who praised both the atmosphere and the effort behind the event. Attendees embraced the theme by wearing purple, one of our charity’s core brand colours, demonstrating their support and reflecting our values of inclusion, creativity, and community spirit.
Good food, fun atmosphere, and a great chance to dress up. The awards were a brilliant touch and added a lot of fun to the evening! It was lovely to see so many people supporting JIGSAW – it was clear how much effort had gone into making it special.
– Liz, one of the attendees.
The Purple Party also celebrated the power of community collaboration, with JIGSAW’s dedicated adult volunteers playing a crucial role in supporting the event, helping to ensure everything ran smoothly, the room looked stunning, and the atmosphere was full of joy and community connection.
The Purple Party was proudly supported by our longstanding community partners, including the Rotary in Thornbury and Bryant Associates and Wealth Management, along with generous sponsorship from Oldbury Community Shop, H M Bristol Ltd, J C Electrics (Guildford) Limited, and Beech House Care Home, Thornbury. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the many local businesses and individuals who donated raffle prizes, bringing added excitement to the evening and demonstrating their confidence in the positive impact our charity is making within the community.
It was a fantastic evening and a very worth cause. I am very glad to be part of it.
– Luke from Brick and Block Parties Bristol who attended the event and gave a generous donation to the raffle.
In total, the Purple Party raised an incredible £2,625.62 – funds that will directly support our work empowering children and young people with additional needs or disabilities, and their families, and vital with the increased need in the community for our services. JIGSAW has seen a 78% increase in the number of people attending over the last 2 years, while facing a challenging financial situation for the whole charity sector.
Beyond the fundraising success, the event had an immeasurable impact on the youth volunteers themselves, helping them build confidence, develop vital life and leadership skills, and recognise the value of their voices and contributions within the community.
We are now seeking new community and business partners to support our fundraising efforts in 2026, helping us to continue delivering vital services for children, young people, and families. Anyone interested in getting involved is warmly encouraged to get in touch with Bonnie at fundraising@jigsawthornbury.org.uk.
