In November 2025, Northwich Glass had the honour of being a part of a DIY SOS project supporting The Joshua Tree, a wonderful local charity that helps families affected by childhood cancer.
Founded in 2006, The Joshua Tree has grown significantly in recent years, and due to increasing demand from across the country, outgrew their original Northwich base.
As a result, the DIY SOS team, accompanied by a presenting lineup that included Nick Knowles, Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones, worked to transform the site in just 12 days by extending all facilities – with the goal of enabling more children and families to receive the crucial support they need.
At Northwich Glass, we were more than happy to supply and install aluminium windows and bi-fold doors for the new space, durable products that would bring plenty of natural light inside.
Who are The Joshua Tree?
The Joshua Tree supports families across the North West and North Wales who are affected by childhood cancers. In 2006, Dai and Linda Hill felt lost when their son Joshua was diagnosed with cancer, and felt as though there was nowhere for families like theirs to turn to, no safe space or understanding.
As a result, The Joshua Tree was founded, and has spent the past two decades providing practical, emotional, health and well-being support to families affected by childhood cancer.
This includes:
- Counselling and emotional support
- Play, art and activity sessions
- Fitness and wellbeing support
- Help with education and school life
- Family sessions and group activities
Since being founded in 2006, they have supported more than 700 families. In 2024 alone, they received over 150 new family referrals, and around 400 families are currently receiving support.
Why was the next building needed?
Demand for support has grown steadily. The original centre had reached capacity, meaning space and time were stretched.
The new building allows The Joshua Tree to:
- Support up to around 800 families
- Run more counselling and therapy sessions
- Offer spaces for teenagers and siblings
- Avoid families having to wait as long for help
The new two-storey building includes:
- Two family accommodation studios
- A wellbeing gym
- Therapy and counselling spaces
- A teenage breakout room
- A large shared activity area
- An outdoor therapy garden
More space means more families can be seen, more often, and with less pressure on staff and volunteers.
Contributing with DIY SOS to create the new space
The project was part of DIY SOS for BBC Children in Need and aired in November 2025 (you can watch it on the BBC iPlayer.)
The build took just over 12 days. Around 250 volunteers turned up each day, including local trades and people who travelled from other parts of the UK such as Devon and Glasgow.
Carpenters, electricians, plasterers, decorators and many others worked long days to get the building finished on time. The Joshua Tree founders, Dai and Lynda Hill, said the scale of support was hard to take in.
For us, it meant working alongside other trades to fit the windows and doors safely and on schedule, so the rest of the work could continue without delays.
Why were aluminium bi-folds and windows chosen for this project?
The aim was to create calm, practical spaces that feel open without feeling exposed.
Aluminium frames are strong, so they can support larger panes of glass with slimmer frames. That allows more daylight into the rooms, which matters in places used for counselling, therapy and family time. The bi-fold doors also allow easy access to outdoor areas, including the therapy garden, making the space more flexible for families.
Natural light is proven to significantly contribute to mental and physical wellbeing, helping to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm and boosting mood, a reason why aluminium made sense.
Aluminium also works well in busy buildings because it:
- Holds its shape over time
- Needs little maintenance
- Allows wide openings for access and airflow
- Suits modern, purpose-built spaces
An example of aluminium bi-fold doors in use at a residential property.
What makes The Joshua Tree different?
The Joshua Tree supports families from diagnosis through treatment, recovery and, in some cases, bereavement.
They don’t offer a one-size-fits-all service. Support is shaped around each family, whether they need counselling, play therapy, fitness sessions or help with school life. The focus is on staying alongside families for as long as they need it.
How can I help The Joshua Tree?
If you want to support The Joshua Tree, there are a few simple ways to get involved.
Donate
Donations help keep all services free for families. They pay for counselling, therapy sessions, family activities and outreach work.
Fundraise
Fundraising is a great way to help! Here are a few popular ways to raise money:
- Taking part in a run or walk
- Holding a bake sale or quiz night
- Running an event “in aid of” The Joshua Tree
They provide support and materials to help you organise it.
Volunteer
Volunteers help with events, activities and looking after the centres. Even a small amount of time can make a difference.
Partner
Businesses, schools and groups can partner with the charity to support their work long-term and help them reach more families.
If you can help The Joshua Tree in any way, it will make a real difference.
Contact The Joshua Tree
- Phone: 01606 331 858
- Email: volunteers@thejoshuatree.org.uk
