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Reach Charity Ltd

Reach supports children who are born or acquire an upper limb difference and their families. In the beginning some parents tell us that they can experience shock, guilt and in some cases, sorrow. They need time to heal and understand talking to other parents and seeing other children with upper limb differences helps them come to a level of acceptance. The Reach family relationship is a lifelong journey with other parents and families who have gone through similar experiences. We and our members are here to help, so that families feel they have a cloak of support around them. We make sure that they feel heard and never judged.

reach.org.uk Fundraise for us
reach@reach.org.uk

08451306225

Registered charity no. 1134544

Member since December 2020

About us

By donating to Reach you are supporting the valuable work we offer to families of children with an upper limb difference.

We have 19 branch networks all run by volunteers throughout the UK and Ireland to provide support and an opportunity for children and parents to meet.

Head office provide information and support through telephone, email, print and social media. We connect families to health professionals and also educate obstetric and maternity units on what information new parents need to enable them to find the vital support and help them understand their child is unique and incredible and their resilience and ability to adapt will amaze them everyday.

We produce a newsletter 3 times a year, full of stories of our childrens achievements, advice from Hand Surgeons, Psychosocial Nurses, Occupational and Physiotherapist, regular columns from our young adults giving advice on everything from going to university to body confidence tips. Parents columns telling their story and fundraising opportunities.

We produce webinars to inform and educate on topics from prosthesis choices, car mobility schemes, physical and metal health issues, parent journeys, adults with an upper limb difference career routes and choices and many more.

We work with researchers to gather evidence of issues that affect children with upper limb differences, to help inform and grow our understanding and share with NHS trusts.

We offer a one-handed recorder hire scheme and a library of music for other instruments.

Many adaptations can be expensive so we offer a 'Try before you buy' loan scheme for useful equipment, such swim paddles,  an array of scissors and other gadgets.

The costs of adaptations can be expensive so we offer Bursary Grants for members up to the age of 25yrs, to help them thrive.

The Reach Annual Activity Week for children aged 10-17yrs has been running for 20 years and is our flagship event, it offers children an opportunity to step into independence, away from their parents and mixing with other participants who must have an upper limb difference. The feedback from this event is fantastic, children tell us it is the first step in them becoming confidence in their own abilities and giving them confidence to try new things.

We hold an Annual Family Weekend (though this has been a virtual event during COVID), this is full of inspirational speakers, events and activities for all ages, and ambassadors. We cover topics such as books for limb difference children, baking hubs, raising awareness in different business sectors, the arts, representation in media, TV, films, theatre and sport.

We are part of a coalition of charities which enables us to be able to offer invitations to events and opportunities available through other charities. e.g. Douglas Bader, Jubilee Sailing Trust, Katies Ski Tracks and many more.

Our member’s only Facebook groups and What's App groups are vital for parents to be able to talk to each other confidentially.

Our Buddy scheme links up children who live close to each other with a similar limb difference, this has been particularly important during lockdown and many children have written to each other or been in contact virtually.

All of this is only possible because of donations we receive to the charity. We do not get any government funding and have to rely of the good will of individuals, small businesses and trusts to support us financially.