Local builder gives back to ellenor

Jon Cooper has supported the charity for more than 20 years while caring for his son Michael at home.

Builder Jon Cooper is not the sort of man to talk about the help he gives to others. But for more than 20 years, he and his family have supported local hospice charity ellenor through their work, generosity and long connection to the organisation.

Jon’s father Eric helped build the original hospice wing at ellenor’s Northfleet site, and since then the family firm, One Call Builders, has remained closely connected to the charity. Over the years they have refurbished the main ward twice, updated bathrooms and windows, carried out work at many of ellenor’s charity shops and offices, and more recently helped expand the hospice café and create two new patios overlooking the garden.

While the company is contracted for the work, ellenor has also benefited from countless acts of generosity along the way, from additional labour given freely to high-quality fittings supplied and installed at no extra cost. Over time, those gestures have saved the charity thousands of pounds.

“ellenor approached us while we were working on the church extension next to their old building in Dartford in about 2003, and we’ve been doing work for them ever since,” said Jon.

“The staff are really hands on, including the directors. People should know who the directors and CEO are because you see them out on the ward chatting with patients and staff, and that’s how it should be.

“The new Wellbeing Wing at the hospice is brilliant. “Everything has to evolve and ellenor needed the space to grow.”

Eric Cooper retired in 2009, but One Call Builders remains a small family business, working with a handful of employees and trusted subcontractors. Jon’s wife, Yeliz, is also part of the team and could recently be seen helping at ellenor while work on the new patios was underway this spring.

Outside work, life for the Crayford couple revolves around caring for their 18-year-old son, Michael, who has a rare genetic condition caused by a missing chromosome.

Jon says Michael has the understanding of a two-and-a-half-year-old child.

“We brought him into the hospice when he was three years old to meet everyone, and they were all so kind to him,” said Jon. “He doesn’t come under ellenor’s care, but we receive support from Mencap.

“We know life can be uncertain, so we try to make the most of our time together as a family and do something special every week. We just want Michael to be happy.”

Michael’s condition means he requires constant care and supervision, and the family are currently navigating what the future might look like as he prepares to leave school next year.

Jon and Yeliz are also adapting their home to help Michael live more independently with support from carers in the future.

“Michael is our son and we just try to give him the best life we can,” said Jon. “He didn’t ask for any of this.”

Those experiences have given Jon a deep understanding of the challenges many people supported by ellenor face.

“I understand how hard it can be,” he said. “Charities like ellenor and Mencap are what make people like me want to give more.

“The people there are genuinely caring and that’s what makes the difference.”

“It’s my choice to help ellenor and I’ll do what I can, when I can,” he said. “We’re a small company, but if we’re in a position to give something back, we will. That’s just how we see it.”

Jon, who is 52, is also encouraged to see younger people becoming involved with the charity as ellenor continues to evolve.

“It’s good to bring younger people into the organisation,” he said. “That’s what will help encourage future generations to support charities like ellenor as it moves forward.”

“Jon and his family have been part of the ellenor story for many years,” said Liam Stone, Director of Operations at ellenor.

“Over the years, One Call Builders have played an important role in helping us improve and grow our spaces across the charity, but Jon has also become a familiar and much-valued part of the wider ellenor community. We are incredibly grateful for his continued support, kindness and friendship over the years.”