The sound of joy and laughter has been echoing around Go Beyond’s centre in Cornwall. The return of Go Beyond Day Breaks have been nothing short of incredible for the young people who have faced even more serious challenges over the course of the pandemic.
What do children experience on a break?
Each break includes a variety of adventurous, imaginative, creative, and reflective experiences through which they can build skills, make new friends, try something new and make memories that last a lifetime.
Treasure hunts, magic tricks, painting, gardening, bush-craft sessions and team-building activities have been on the agenda for the last few weeks. The wide-open space around the Centre was thoroughly enjoyed by all the children with games of football golf, creating obstacle courses for each other, and taking trips to Par Beach down the road!
“I greeted the young people every afternoon on their return to school. They returned smiling, laughing, relaxed and exhausted,” said DDSL Therapeutic Lead and Thrive Practitioner, Jane Truscott.
“In school during the following weeks they were able to reflect on their positive experiences and had something to discuss with other young people about their own lives. This gave them a new-found confidence.”
Jane added: “One girl came back and couldn’t wait to tell me about her day at the beach jumping the waves. This girl had never been given the opportunity to play in the waves without getting a negative response from her carers. She told me ‘I didn’t get told off. We all just laughed and laughed and then they helped me to get dry.”
Summer breaks
The Break Leaders are now busy planning activities to make this summer one to remember, trips involving mini raft racing down the river, tree climbing, and mindfulness walks led by our Break Leaders, who have had mental health first aid training for children and young people.
Don’t forget our team of Break Leaders are continuing to share ideas to inspire and excite children who aren’t able to attend a Day Breaks on our website.
