Steve Shatwell, Chief Executive
We asked you for help and you gave it to us. I am delighted to report that we have reached our target of £10,000 in just two months. A further £5,600 has been raised through fundraising events. Thank you to everybody who has supported us.
Since March, with the help of our supporters, Reach staff have achieved miracles, working quickly to adapt our services to help keep people safe, well and connected at home whilst our centres are closed. You can read how your support has made a difference on our Crisis Response page.
I've been touched to receive so many messages of thanks from parents like Jane, Alasdair's Mum whose story you can read more about below.
But there is still so much to do. Two months in lockdown has pushed many of our clients and families to the limits of endurance.
The next few months will of course be extremely challenging. As lockdown ‘eases’, we must find new, safe ways to welcome clients back to our centres whilst continuing to offer our ‘remote activities’ for people at home. Staff are already piloting new approaches and offering bespoke support to people who are in crisis.
Our services are never more needed, but income continues to be under pressure. That is why we have decided to extend our appeal, aiming to raise a further £5,000, to help ensure we can be here for the people who need us most. If you can help us reach this target, please rest assured that your gift will make a genuine difference to people with learning disabilities and their carers in these uncertain times.
With warm regards – stay safe.
Gemma's story
Since we had to temporarily close our centres, I’ve been very busy developing keep in touch materials like a newsletter and learning activities for clients to use at home. I am also now running a craft class via video conference – it is so lovely to see the smiles on clients faces at seeing their Reach friends again. I’m also making regular welfare telephone calls to a group of clients and their family carers and look forward to chatting with them each time. For some clients, talking on the phone can be difficult but knowing them well I can help put them at ease and chat about things that interest them.
Alasdair's Story
“Thank you for your calls to Alasdair. On Tuesday he was really low which is totally unlike him and nothing we said or did cheered him up. On Wednesday a different young man was back. Happy, smiling, helpful and involved all day in working towards his independence. He even came on our daily walk which he hadn't for a couple of days and enjoyed the email Tracey sent to us with activities. He is really looking forward to catching up with you all on Zoom as he is missing his friends and all of you ! 😀🤗." - Jane, Alasdair's Mum
How your gift could make a difference
