Go Beyond joined forces with Leeds Children’s Charity to give vulnerable children from Leeds and West Yorkshire special breaks. We worked together for months to identify children who would most benefit from a week away.
A total of 16 children, who had experienced personal hardship and had been unable to go on a residential school trip, were given the chance to visit Lineham Farm, Eccup.
During the week the children, aged between seven and 11, learned to ride bikes, interacted with animals, developed friendships, challenged themselves through new activities and spent time away from screens.
Go Beyond has centres in Derbyshire and Cornwall and has arranged breaks for children in the East of England but this was the first in Yorkshire.
CEO Michele Farmer said: “We were delighted with our first week at Lineham Farm. We have found kindred spirits who share our commitment to giving children time in nature, the chance to make new friends and the confidence to try new things.”
She said Leeds Children’s Charity, based at Lineham Farm, had helped to identify the schools and community groups where children were most in need.
Ms Farmer said: “Seeing what the children achieved during that first week has reinforced just how valuable this partnership can be. By working together, we can reach more children who might otherwise miss out on these experiences.”
In Leeds around one in four children lives below the poverty line denying them opportunities and basic experiences others take for granted.
Ms Farmer said as well as reaching children in towns and cities it was vital to help those in rural areas who can be isolated because of poor transport links.
Following the success of the first week Go Beyond and the Leeds Children’s Charity, both of which have over 30 years of experience, are now working together on another break.
Ms Farmer said: “We are really hoping these will be the first of many. It’s proof that working together we can help more vulnerable children and make their lives better.”
