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Month: December 2025

A Year of Growth, Resilience and Purpose: Jessica Gwaringa Reflects on 2025 and Looks Ahead to 2026

Posted on by Admin Moonrise

As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year that has challenged us, strengthened us, and reaffirmed why we do what we do. At Moonrise, our mission has always been to provide compassionate, high-quality care and support, and this year, that mission has continued to guide our every step.

 

Growth Across Our Teams and Service

One of the greatest joys of 2025 has been welcoming new members into both our office and community teams. Each person brings fresh energy, diverse experience, and a shared passion for supporting the people who depend on our services. Their dedication has helped us grow sustainably and strengthen the foundation on which Moonrise stands.

 

We have also made great progress toward our Ofsted registration for our children’s residential homes. The journey; from refurbishments to policy development to building a team that shares our vision for exceptional care, has been immense. I am incredibly proud of how far we have come and deeply grateful for everyone’s commitment throughout the process.

 

Recognition and Achievement

A personal highlight this year was being named one of the Top 10 Business Leaders at the InspiraTees Awards, hosted by Tees Business. This recognition is not mine alone, it reflects the collective effort, passion, and hard work of the entire Moonrise team. Every success we achieve is shared, and I am constantly inspired by the people I work alongside every day.

 

A Year Marked by Personal Loss

While 2025 brought many proud moments, it also carried deep sorrow. In October, I lost my mum; a guiding light, a constant source of strength, and someone who always believed in me. Leading through grief has been an immense challenge, but the compassion and understanding shown by the Moonrise family have meant more than words can express. I will always be grateful for that support.

 

Looking Ahead: Our Vision for 2026

As we look to 2026, we do so with renewed optimism, purpose, and determination. There is much to look forward to:

 

Opening Our Newly Refurbished Children’s Residential Homes 

We are now awaiting final confirmation of our Ofsted registration. Once granted, we will proudly open the doors to our new homes — thoughtfully designed to support vulnerable children and young people with a range of unique needs. Creating safe, nurturing, and empowering spaces for them remains at the heart of our mission.

 

Expanding into York 

Our new office in York is now set up, and we are preparing to extend our high-quality care and support services to the community there. This expansion marks a major step in our long-term growth strategy and reflects our ongoing commitment to serving more people with excellence and empathy.

 

Moving Forward With Purpose

This past year reminded me that growth and challenge often walk side by side. As we step into 2026, I carry forward the lessons, the gratitude, and the resilience that 2025 has shaped in us all.

To our staff, partners, families, and the communities we serve — thank you for being part of the Moonrise journey.

Here is to a year ahead filled with hope, new beginnings, and the continued pursuit of meaningful change.

Living With A Disability

Posted on by Admin Moonrise

Living with a disability shapes life in many ways, I should know!

 

I was born with Spina Bifida and have done things a little differently throughout my life starting with walking with Splints and Crutches up until I was ten years old, when I started to use a wheelchair. Many people would think the decision to use a wheelchair full time would be difficult, but for a schoolgirl who wanted to carry her own things and keep up with others, it was a no-brainer.

 

Using a wheelchair has allowed me so much more freedom and independence than 10 year old me ever realised it would. Many people think having a disability defines a person, for me that is not the case, and it shouldn’t be for others either. My disability isn’t the whole me, it doesn’t dictate what I can or cannot do. Yes, it means I do things differently but its not a barrier, it doesn’t stop me.

 

Has my life been easy? Certainly not, but, you know what, a lot of people have had a harder time than I have. Yes, I’ve spent time in hospitals and undergone numerous spinal surgeries, my parents had to fight for my education in the 80’s (I’m showing my age now!), sometimes there is a step at a door, and I had to apply for 100 jobs before I even got an interview, or the reception desk at the doctors is higher than my head, the person serving me talks to the person with me instead of me, in all these situations and many more I have one mode of attack, my voice. I speak up, literally in a higher volume sometimes, but its all to be heard.

 

Most of the barriers I have faced have been put in front of me by others who don’t understand and don’t see the person before the disability. This understanding can be changed by asking questions and being open. Having a disability isn’t something to tiptoe around, more often than not its immediately visible, and is a part of human diversity. And understanding leads to inclusion and it is only with this that people are seen before the disability.

 

I am not saying that you should walk up to anybody with a disability and say “So what’s wrong with you?”, people may have a disability but they also have feelings, so please be polite! You wouldn’t believe how many times my disability has been the topic of conversation in the bread aisle at the supermarket.

 

Over the years barriers have changed and, on the whole, in a positive way, however there is more work that can be done. Its only with the understanding that all barriers, whether physical or perceived, can be eliminated completely. People with disabilities just need to be listened to, in my life I have seen level access increased, lower desks or tills installed and perceptions changing but there is still so far to go.

 

Have any of these barriers stopped my life from being fulfilling? Absolutely not. I work (in Marketing at Moonrise), I drive, I go on holiday (although we won’t talk about air travel and disabilities as we simply don’t have the time!), I have a husband, a teenage daughter, a mortgage and an excitable Cocker Spaniel named Teddy. Yes I do things a bit differently, but life is good.

 

Living with a disability can mean living differently, I am thankful that my husband and daughter can reach high shelves, but it certainly doesn’t mean living less. My disability has shaped me, it taught me to be resilient and to see barriers as opportunities to change, and ultimately, has made me the person that I am and I wouldn’t want to be anyone else.