PRESS RELEASE
Joel – The Complete Package Registered Charity Number: 1158908
The Hub Golden Ball Worksop Nottinghamshire S80 1DX
Date: 1ST February 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Notification of Closure
FULL STATEMENT
In 2014, Joel – The Complete Package became a registered charity with the aim of supporting families through pregnancy and parenting after baby loss. The co-founders of the charity, Matt and Emma Pearson turned the tragic loss of their twin boys Noel and James in 2011 in to creating a platform to help other families after they discovered the lack of support available through their own first ‘rainbow’ pregnancy.
Over the past 12 years we have met and supported the most incredible, brave and inspirational families whose lives have been affected by baby loss. Many of whom have welcomed their own ‘rainbow babies’ – the term used for babies born to families after a loss at any stage of pregnancy, through IVF, following miscarriage, stillbirth, during labour or after birth. Sadly, one of the biggest public misconceptions of the general public is that the word ‘Charity ‘means free, which could not be further from the truth.
Joel-The Complete Package have offered face to face support, online support via our closed Facebook groups and email. We have offered tailored support to ‘Joel Dad’s’ and siblings of families affected by baby loss. We have delivered a range of sessions that focus on physical and mental wellbeing, including family yoga, walk and talk meetings and craft sessions for all the family. These days charities more than ever before are required to adopt a business model as appose to a funded pathway, which used to be the norm to deliver their services or distribute their resources.
The Charity Commission report that sustainability is a significant challenge for many small charities going forward into 2025. Just over 85% of grassroot charities have reported that their income from both fundraising and grants awarded has been negatively impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. This has also affected the generosity of the general public to give and donate to charities, as they struggle to balance their own disposable income more carefully. Almost half of small charities are now reporting to be fundraising primarily to cover core costs. The Charity Commission and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) report that many small charities with an income of less that £50k will not survive the economic challenges within the next 12 months. Joel – TCP is no exception!
There is absolutely no doubt that the passion and dedication for the delivery of support services and raising awareness has wavered in the slightest, but without vital funds, the future of Joel – TCP is simply unsustainable. Whilst viable in the short term, longer-term trends show that Joel TCP is not financially viable in the current economic climate. The future forecast offers limited funding opportunities to change or improve the current situation. Despite our resilience and determination to survive in such challenging times in the face of such uncertain times and adversity, with dwindling opportunities for funding,
Joel TCP has been unable to put together a sustainable business plan for the next 12 months. The decision to even consider dissolving and de-registering the charity has been an extremely emotional one. More so for a charity such as JOEL TCP, whose objective is to offer support the baby loss community, which is a deeply personal and emotionally charged arena. However, notwithstanding our own personal emotions, the overarching duty and responsibility of all Trustees is to explore and consider every option to support the charity to fulfil their constituted articles where and if possible. It is with the deepest sadness and regret that following a full and extra ordinary board meeting in October 2024, The Board of Trustees have come to the decision (unanimously) that the only option is for Joel- The Complete Package to be dissolved and de-registered as a charity in 2025.
As Chairperson of the Board of Trustees I have a duty of care to ensure that all staff, volunteers and beneficiaries are fully supported during the closure notice period, whilst recognising the stresses associated at this time. The Board, Claire, Sybil, Amy, Pip and I acknowledge the sadness and emotional impact of the closure on the service users, past and present and within the local community.
There are no debts outstanding at this time or associated with this closure of the charity. The charity with its own liabilities and responsibilities will cease. As Chair of the Board of Trustees, I personally would like to record my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been involved with Joel – TCP over the past 12 years. As you can imagine, this has not been an easy decision to make and believe me, if there was a different outcome available, it would have been considered without hesitation.
I would just like to personally say to Matt and Emma, the Co-founders of Joel-TCP thank you. Thank you for having the courage and selflessness to share with the world your lives and personal journeys following the loss of your two beautiful boys in the darkest of times. Your two rainbow children, Sebastian and Polly have been stalwarts and the perfect ambassadors of the charity and are worthy of a heartfelt mention as they have grown up with Joel-The Complete Package and the legacy that their Brother’s have left behind. Through James and Noel, the legacy of Joel-TCP will live on in the hearts and lives from everyone who has been supported by the charity FOREVER.
The Board would also just like to recognise the dedication and passion that Lisa our Co-ordinator has given to everything Joel. Your presence both behind the scenes and front of house have been a shining light, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We should never ever forget the families from the baby loss community who without the support of our charity might never have been able to live the lives that they do today. Whilst we now support each other as Founders, Trustees, Team members, volunteers and supporters, lets never lose sight of the legacy and positivity that Joel – TCP has brought to the world. In 2016, Joel TCP raised vital funds, over £40,000 to manage the creation and renovation of the dual-purpose family suite on the labour ward at Bassetlaw Hospital where bereaved families could spend time with their babies in relaxed and private surroundings.
We are extremely proud of this achievement and although we are aware that sadly the room has been used by many families after loss, we are heartened by the testimonies and the feedback that we have received about the family suite. It is our intention that any remaining funds available following the closure of the charity will be used to update and improve the family suite to ensure that for years to come, the facility remains fit for purpose for local families in their darkest hour. In addition to this, we will also donate any remaining funds after the completion of the above project to The Poplars Christian Fellowship ( known locally as Poplars Church ) Charity number 275682 who have allowed us to use their premises as the base for our Hub, which has been our home for many happy years.
On a personal note, I for one feel proud and privileged to have supported the charity as a Mentor, Board Member, Vice Chair and Chairperson over the past seven years. Stand Proud everyone. Through the sadness that we all ultimately feel at this difficult time, never lose sight of the amazing achievements which have been made by Joel – The Complete Package. ‘’ Nothing in life stays the same. The only constant in life is change. While the destination may be uncertain, we can find meaning and purpose in the journeys itself.’’
Any communication relating to the closure of the charity should be directed to: info@joeltcp.org
Allison Palmer Chairperson on behalf of the Board of Trustees
Date: 1st February 2025
