This summer we are celebrating having given 20,000 children facing serious challenges in their lives the chance for a break.
To mark this significant milestone in our history, we are launching a campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of a holiday and advocate for every child to be given the chance for a break away during the summer.
We are particularly keen to raise awareness of our services for the 4.3 million children living in poverty who won’t get the chance for a holiday this summer but who, instead, will be in households struggling to fund daily meals and other essentials.
During our 30-year history, we have given children from all across the UK who have been bereaved, abused or bullied, who are living in poverty or caring for loved ones the chance to escape their worries and pressures, on a week-long stay at our countryside centres in Cornwall and Derbyshire.
During that time we have witnessed the life-changing impact of a few days away from home; specifically, how even a short break in new surroundings can improve children’s confidence, resilience and aspirations for the future.
Now, we are speaking out about the benefits a holiday or even short break away can have on children and young people and encouraging professionals who work with young people missing out to refer them for a break with Go Beyond.
Michele Farmer, Go Beyond CEO, said: “As we begin the summer holidays this year there are millions of children across the country who have plans with their families, perhaps to go camping in the UK or enjoy some sunshine further away.
“All of these children will gain enormously from these experiences, learning about life away from home, having different interactions with new people and coming home with memories that they’ll keep for a lifetime.
“Our mission as a charity is to support children who, through no fault of their own, don’t have these same opportunities; children who miss out on the chance to learn about the world around them, build their confidence and return to school in September with tales of experiences they’re proud to share with their friends.”
Michele added: “What we see at Go Beyond is how levelling up and providing these children with a break away gives them the chance to learn to believe in themselves, make new friends and, ultimately, realise that they can achieve more than they ever thought possible.
“This can and does have a positive, lasting effect on their futures.”
Shantelle, now 27-years-old, experienced a week away with Go Beyond as a child and said it helped her to find out who she was: “As a child I was brought up in a very deprived area. We rarely did any day trips and never left Plymouth. My home life wasn’t the best environment. When I was told I could attend a Go Beyond break I was so scared. I’d never left Plymouth or my mum unless I was going to school,” she said.
“But while we were on breaks, we did things I never knew existed. I remember the first time I saw a horse. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen!
“Going on these breaks helped me to find who I was as a person and what I liked to do. I struggled with socialising as a child but they helped me to find myself and find the confidence within to make friends and actually talk to people. The impact of that experience has continued to help me in my adult life.”
Michele added: “Up to 16 children aged 8-13-years old attend each break year-round at our two centres, giving them chance to meet other children just like them.”
Shantelle concluded: “I struggled with socialising as a child but my breaks at Go Beyond helped me to find myself and find the confidence within to make friends and actually talk to people.
“The impact of that experience has continued to help me in my adult life.”
Give more children like Shantelle a week of fun and magic at Go Beyond.
