Laois charity shop staff in Portlaoise get 'JAM friendly'

Staff at the Jack and Jill Charity shop in Portlaoise have been trained in skills to assist them in communicating with people who have a learning difficulty, autism or a communication barrier.

The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation says it is proud to announce that its Portlaoise Charity Boutique 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.

A statement issued to the Leinster Express / Laois Live explained that 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.

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

Martina Copper, Shop Manager Portlaoise, and Abbie Lambert, Wharehouse and Logistics Manager, are among those to have benefited from the training.

“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.”

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The Portlaoise boutique is part of a nationwide network of Jack and Jill Charity Boutiques that help fund in-home nursing care and respite support for children with complex medical needs. Currently, Jack and Jill supports eight children in Laois and has supported 53 children in the county since the charity was founded in 1997.

Jack and Jill 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.

For more information about the JAM Card, visit www.jamcard.org

To learn more about the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation and find your nearest boutique, visit www.jackandjill.ie