Gabriel’s Story
Last Christmas we met Gabriel*, a child from Ukraine who has had a turbulent few years. When he arrived for his first break, Gabriel had been living in the UK for a year with his mother and siblings, having fled the war. Sadly, they had to leave behind his father and grandparents, which was devastating for Gabriel. Despite his struggles, across his week at Go Beyond, Gabriel really found his voice. He opened up to the adults, formed strong friendships with the other young people, and started to rediscover his confidence.
A year on, we were delighted to welcome Gabriel back to Go Beyond. The transformation was clear from the moment he arrived. He walked arm in arm with a friend, smiling and chatting. His teacher shared that the friendships Gabriel had made on his first break had continued at school, helping him feel more settled and accepted.
Gabriel stepped naturally into a ‘big brother’ role for members of the group arriving at Go Beyond for the first time, showing how much he had matured. Proudly welcoming his friends into the Centre, the wonder on their faces brought back Gabriel’s fond memories of seeing the lights and decorations for the first time. This year, he was even more excited, knowing how many magical moments awaited him.
“I was so excited about coming here I couldn’t sleep at all!”
After the continuing challenges in Gabriel’s life, the week that followed was exactly what he needed. Gabriel had never been anywhere like the Eden Project before with its giant lit-up biomes and exotic plants, which the group had an amazing time exploring. They also got to try ice skating – a first for many. Whenever his friends were struggling or nervous, Gabriel was there with words of encouragement.
Day by day, Gabriel’s personality shone through, and the Break Leaders said he simply seemed ‘so much more himself.’ Gabriel particularly enjoyed singing Christmas songs around the campfire, showing off his lovely voice. This was a beautiful moment that exuded the fun of the festive season, as the group clapped along and laughed together. Gabriel had found a place where he belonged. A place where it was easy to find joy and feel hope.
The break ended with a perfect ‘Christmas Day.’ The children were greeted with personalised stockings to open in the morning, and for lunch? A Christmas feast with all the trimmings! It was different from the meals Gabriel had grown up with, but upon discovering cauliflower cheese, he decided it might be one of the best food inventions ever. He would have to send the recipe to his grandparents to try…
Gabriel’s story isn’t without pain. He still misses his family whom he remains separated from. He still longs for the life he left behind. But through Go Beyond, he has found healthy ways to cope. Gabriel has continued to write as a way to express his thoughts and feelings, and he enjoys sending his family drawings using a sketch book he got at Go Beyond. We were also lucky to receive a letter from Gabriel following his break, in which he wrote:
“Thank you for the impact you had on my life.”
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*Children’s names and some of their story details have been changed to protect their identities.
