Offaly charity shop goes 'JAM Friendly' to help customers

THE Jack and Jill charity boutique in Tullamore is now more accessible to people with a learning difficulty, autism or communication barrier.

The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation says the store is now officially 'JAM friendly', following the successful completion of JAM (Just A Minute) training by all staff members across the organisation, including shop managers, nurses, office staff and the family support team.

The JAM Card initiative, developed by the social enterprise NOW Group, allows people with a learning difficulty, autism or communication barrier to discreetly and easily communicate their need for ‘Just A Minute’ of patience and understanding when in a public setting.

The Tullamore boutique is part of a nationwide network of Jack and Jill Charity Boutiques that help fund vital in-home nursing care and respite support for children with complex medical needs.

Currently, Jack and Jill supports four children in Offaly and has supported 41 children in the county since the charity was founded in 1997.

By becoming JAM Card friendly, Jack and Jill says it is reinforcing its commitment to making its stores and the wider organisation as inclusive and welcoming as possible for everyone in the community.

“We’re really proud to have achieved JAM accreditation across all our Jack and Jill Charity Boutiques,” said Stacey Bohanna, head of retail and compliance at the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.

“This training helps ensure our shops are safe, supportive spaces where all customers feel understood and valued. It’s a small step that makes a big difference and it reflects our wider commitment to accessibility, inclusion and community care.”

Commenting on Jack and Jill’s accreditation Maeve Monaghan, CEO at NOW Group said: “It’s fantastic to see the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation become JAM Card friendly across all of its charity boutiques. JAM Card awareness plays a key role in fostering inclusion and understanding for people with communication barriers. We’re proud to work with an organisation that truly values accessibility and dignity for every customer.”

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Jack and Jill said it relies on public support, including funds raised through its charity boutiques, to deliver this critical care model which is often described as a lifeline for the families its supports.

Jack and Jill is a nationwide charity that funds and provides up to 100 hours per month of in-home nursing care and respite support to families caring for children, up to the age of six, with severe learning disability often associated with complex medical needs.

Jack and Jill was founded by parents Jonathan Irwin and Mary Ann O’Brien in 1997, based on their experience of caring for their son Jack.

Jack and Jill's mission is to empower the families it supports to care for their child at home, by funding and delivering nursing, respite and advocacy. The charity must raise over €7.9 million in 2025 to keep this vital service going, with approximately 21.5% coming from the HSE.

Jack and Jill currently supports 437 families in communities across Ireland and has supported 3,153 families since 1997.