Reach Learning Disability is again taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge which takes place between 28^th November and 5^th December 2023. The national matched funding campaign enables people to have their donations to the charity doubled, so a donation of £25 becomes £50.

Reach is appealing for funds for its Brighter Futures project, which will help local people with learning disabilities at its Mansfield, Southwell and Newark bases gain vital lifeskills, and offer bespoke help for families worried about the years ahead.

Tracey Thurlow, project manager at Reach, said: “Lots of adults with learning disabilities and their mums, dads and wider family worry a lot about the future. Uncertainties like where someone will live, worries about money, whether people will be listened to, how a son or daughter might cope without a parent and where to go to find out about options.

Donations to our Big Give Christmas Challenge will go towards lifeskills and planning sessions, support sessions for families and help with urgent challenges. Which means more people with learning disabilities and family carers can look forward to less worry, more hope and know where they’re going and how to get there.”

Cooking is a vital life skill for anybody wanting to live more independently, and cookery classes are one of the many ways Reach supports its clients. Reach Southwell client, Dorian, recently entered the Apple Pie competition at the Bramley Festival, and was awarded second place! Dorian was proud of his achievement, and treated himself to coffee and cake at a local café with his winnings.

If you would like to donate to Reach’s Big Give Christmas Challenge appeal, go to www.reachuk.org between midday on Tuesday, 28^th November and midday on Tuesday, 5^th December 2023, or get in touch with [email protected] for an email reminder nearer the time.