A charity which provides camping for people with complex needs is to open its second site in the UK, at Hoff, near Appleby.
Since 2017, Essex-based charity Camp Jojo has been providing all the support and equipment needed for families of children with complex and life-limiting needs to enjoy unforgettable camping breaks. It has now secured National Lottery funding towards opening a site near Appleby to go alongside its original one located in East Mersea, Essex.
Camps at Hoff are set to run from 2026 and ahead of the official opening of the new site at Nag’s Head Farm the charity is hosting two open days on 21st and 22nd June for families, volunteers and supporters to experience a taste of what makes Camp Jojo so special.
The charity provides specialist equipment to accommodate even the most complex of needs, such as adapted tents with hoists, an accessible bathroom with ceiling track hoists, medical and safe beds, a sensory room, all-terrain buoyant wheelchairs and specialist supportive seating.
A spokesman said: “We also have a team of volunteers, including many with specialist experience of working with children and young people with complex needs and disabilities, to ensure that parents get support and the whole family can enjoy some carefree time together.
“Families can bask in nature and take part in activities such as bushcraft, meeting farm animals, woodland walks, pond-dipping, pizza making, arts and crafts, toasting marshmallows by the fire and our famous ‘Camp Jojo’s Got Talent’.”
Dr Christine Wright, chair of trustees at Camp Jojo, said: “Every year, the number of families that apply to attend camp far outweighs the number of places available. In addition, so many families from the north of England have also told us that the travel time to Essex is just too long to travel with a child with complex
needs.
“We have heard them, and it is definitely time for Camp Jojo to open a second site so that we can share our magic with as many families as possible and echo our ethos of ‘Everybody Can’.”
Alex and Douglas Chalmers, who own Nag’s Head Farm, added: “We are delighted to welcome Camp Jojo to our farm and to the north of England. We have been involved with the charity for some time and have also been running inclusive activities here for the community for many years, so we fully understand how important it is for families of children with complex needs to have the chance to just be a family and enjoy time together, outdoors.”
Work has already started at Nag’s Head Farm to prepare the site for the open days this month and the camps in 2026.
