Go Beyond is a small charity that makes a huge difference to children in the UK who desperately need a break.
Without our supporters, children who care for their ill mums and dads, worry about where their next meal will come from, or fall behind at school and struggle to make friends would never get a break. Never get a chance to explore the great outdoors, go on adventures, or toast marshmallows by the fireside with new friends. Go Beyond puts magic into their lives.
Over the last 30 years, we have given over 19,000 vulnerable children breaks. For one week, they pack their troubles away and discover a life that’s full of fun, laughter and imagination.
Read Finn’s story
Finn* has had an extremely tough childhood. His family struggle every day with extreme poverty, never knowing how much they will have to spend. Last year his family’s home was re-possessed, robbing him of a place of stability at a time of huge stress and worry.
Alongside this, Finn’s Mum battles with a dependency on alcohol and in her lowest moments is unable to support Finn when he feels anxious, worried and low.
Finn was referred to us for a break from home by his teacher and arrived a shy and quiet young man, his voice often getting lost behind the more dominant characters of the group. Finn would greet the leaders with a smile and respond when spoken to but would never initiate a conversation. However, as the week progressed, Finn blossomed. He was unsure at first of climbing over the rocks with his friend at Par Beach, hesitating whilst his friends were pushing
forward in their adventure. However, with a few encouraging words from the leaders and a dash of bravery, Finn was found peering into caves and searching the depths of the rock pools with a huge smile on his face! This was a similar story for Finn throughout the week (trying new activities that were out of his comfort zone), from kite flying at the top of Go Beyond’s fields to donning fancy dress outfits for the silly Olympics. Finn also showed great perseverance in a fire lighting activity around our campfire. When he could so easily have given up, he tried and tried and tried and would not stop until his fire was lit…and oh boy was it lit! The leaders had never seen a fire so perfect before! The leaders were so proud of Finn and Finn was so proud of himself too!
However, the best part of the week according to Finn was his newfound friendships. Throughout the week, Finn became very friendly with a young man called Olly* and despite having never spoken to one another before the break, they were constantly laughing together. Finn and Olly shared with the leaders that they were planning to continue their friendship when they got home and were hoping to arrange a sleep over together.
Thanks to time spent laughing with friends on the beach and beaming with pride around the campfire, Finn left his Go Beyond break feeling braver and more courageous, with a new friend and memories of hope and happiness to last a lifetime, made under the widest of skies.
*Finn’s name and some details of his story have been changed to protect his identity
