The Go Beyond 2024 annual report and accounts have landed – it’s always such a lot of work to pull it all together and it can all feel like a long time ago, but this year, we have done them in double quick time thanks to our auditors, Francis Clark
The annual report is a good read – full of stories of children: their tough lives and the fun times. And that’s how it should be because we are, after all, a children’s charity. We had over 1,000 stories to choose from, each of them unique and special in their own way.
2024 brought some amazing highlights, culminating in an invitation to HRH Princess Catherine’s carol service at Westminster Abbey. It was humbling to sit alongside six young carers and their parents, hearing their voices ring out across the Abbey in the film that was made specially for the occasion. A trip to London, the Christmas lights, meeting a real princess and sitting in the splendour of that iconic building, surrounded by famous faces will certainly have created memories to last a lifetime.
They were there because every day they do more than is expected of most children. They play a caring role in their family, looking after siblings or maybe a parent. They didn’t choose to do it, that is the life they have been given. I met many of the 1,000 children last year and so often I saw little faces that showed worry; children who carried the weight of adult problems on their small shoulders. I spoke to children who were worried about what was going on at home while they were away, who normally get their siblings ready for bed and read them a story – but who would do that while they were at Go Beyond? I heard them speak openly about not having much food to eat at home, of having to move house again. Heartbreakingly, I saw newly made friends gather around one girl who was upset that her dad wouldn’t be home for Christmas because he was in prison.
Many of us sail through childhood, blissfully unaware of these kinds of things. Others of us know exactly how it feels to have an ill sibling, to struggle at school, to experience loss. Sometimes it is that history that motivates us to work for a charity that makes a simple offer to make life better for children who are having a tough time.
2024 was a tough year for many families. The cost of living continued to rise, the impact of the pandemic continued to be felt with declining school attendance. We have seen a significant increase in children with additional needs (SEND) and in line with the pattern of recent years, we see more and more children with poor mental health and wellbeing. The children are 8 to 13 and many of them are experiencing stress and anxiety.
We know a week away can make a huge difference and we continue to reflect and improve on the structure and content of our breaks, helping children to build the resilience and skills they need to help them thrive.
2024 was a tough year for charities too. The competition for funds is fierce, processes seem to take longer, there are more hoops and hurdles. It was tough on all employers. The rising cost of the Living Wage and Employers NI hit us hard. Food and energy costs continued to rise. Our strategy is to be as efficient as we can and any surplus has been invested into our future development fund to deliver our strategy. But of course, none of it would be possible without a loyal base of supporters. We are grateful to those who continue to invest in us and those who joined us for the first time. They are not just our supporters, they are our friends – welcome to share their thoughts and visit us at any time.
As we publish these accounts we are exactly half way through our five year strategy. We said we would deliver over 5000 breaks in five years and we are on course to do just that – and more. We said we would invest in our two centres and over the course of 2024 we upgraded our facilities, introducing a magnificent enclosed firepit for all-weather fun in Cornwall, resurfacing our enormously long drive to keep visitors free of pot-holes at Daleside. More beds, new mattresses, fresh painting, more toys and games. Everything we do is designed to give our young visitors the very best experience of a magical place that is comfortable and full of kindness. Because that’s what we all want, isn’t it?
When we need a break, most of us head outside to the beach or the countryside. We breathe in the fresh air to clear our minds. Without the constraints of school or work we have freedom to walk, run and explore through fields and streams. And when the day is done, we want to come back to a homely place with a hot meal, cosy evenings with new friends and comfy beds.
It’s a simple formula but we are so good at it. We’ve done it for 33 years and there are many more years in us yet!
Michele
