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Volunteers are the heart and soul of the nonprofit sector. This year’s Beyond Limits annual report is dedicated to the devoted and hardworking volunteers who serve our local community. We thank these committed volunteers for helping make it happen.
ABOUT US
Beyond Limits are a registered charity based in rural County Durham. Our aim is to meet the short term need for emergency aid and the longer term need for social inclusion of the most disadvantaged people from local communities across County Durham, but primarily Wear Valley. This includes those living in poverty, young people disengaged from their families, those rehabilitating from drug and alcohol misuse, and those with disabilities, in need of some respite.
Although the backgrounds and situations of these people can be very different, many of the challenges they face are similar. These can include low self esteem, self confidence, and resilience, low level education, lack of support mechanisms and social networks, lack of motivation, poor communication skills, and lack of career advice.
We work with people with long term mental and physical health conditions by providing activities that encourage exercise and healthy eating. We also offer less orthodox activities, such as singing lessons, which are proven to not only improve mental health, but also improve breathing and relaxation. This can be especially important for those suffering from respiratory conditions.
We operate with a Christian ethos, however we welcome those of all or no religions.
GREETINGS FROM OUR C.E.O
Dear friends,
It is my privilege to introduce to you this year’s annual report, bursting with life and stories of hope. This year’s theme reflects the devoted and hardworking volunteers who serve our local community. During the national lockdown the whole team went above and beyond to ensure all services remained open safely and added new layers of support including increased mobile digital access, emergency food, cleaning, toiletry and family activity packs, and innovative outreach to help support people in isolation. We are deeply grateful for your incredible support. We have been overwhelmed by generosity for the work this year and this has enabled us to sustain all our services and branch into new and exciting developments with confidence and sustainability. We thank our supporters sincerely for giving people a hope and a future.
I want to say thank every individual and organisation who supported us throughout 2021. Because of them, lives were still changed, people were still released from poverty, and our muchneeded message of hope continued to be shared.
A Year In Two Halves
It's safe to say that this year started out as complicated as last, with lockdowns and restrictions still in place. But we wouldn't let that deter us, and we continued helping people in every possible way. Then as restrictions eased, lockdowns lifted, and life began to return to normal, we were able to start to reintroduce all of things everyone had missed, always being mindful of course, that Covid is still with us.
Our emergency aid continued, and in fact was needed more than ever, our pay it forward initiative meant over 500 gifts were sent out to local care home residents and elderly people within the community, to let them know they were not forgotten during these strange and worrying times, some limited groups were able to take place, with distancing and other restrictions observed, and we were able to continue online challenges such as the cooking challenges and various competitions to keep everyone’s spirits up. We were also able to send out art parks to those continuing to isolate, especially those with children at home, to keep them busy and help them take their minds off the worries of the world going on around them.
It has been so true in my life that the time I have spent helping others has been the most rewarding.
A few examples of the art work created at home during lockdown and some of the delicious dishes created from the cooking challenge.
Some beautiful pebble art using paints and natural decorations.
A resin pyramid, created at home
A beautiful quiche whipped up with ingredients in the cooking challenge box
Curried Sardine cakes. Sound strange, taste delicious!
And not forgetting dessert. Chocolate Cheesecake pots.
" IT’S BEEN SAID BEFORE – AND IN MANY WAYS – THAT THE SECRET TO HAPPINESS IS TO
FIND A NEED AND FILL IT, TO FIND A HURT AND HEAL IT, TO FIND SOMEONE WITH A PROBLEM AND OFFER TO HELP SOLVE IT." ROBERT H. SCHULLER
What We Do
WE ARE TAKING A CHARITY PERSPECTIVE TO HELPING THE VULNERABLE POPULATION OF OUR AREA, WORKING TO CHANGE BOTH THE WAY PEOPLE VIEW THOSE IN NEED AND HOW BEYOND LIMITS APPROACHES ISSUES IN THE AREA.
Here at Beyond Limits we don't just want to address the symptoms of living in poverty, isolation, or living with health issues, we want to try to help with the cause. Whilst our Emergency Aid is incredibly important and something we will continue with, it is just a small part of what we do to help. Our mission is to make everyone feel part of something bigger, to be part of the community, part of a family, creating a support network that is always there. All supported, and in many cases led, by our amazing volunteers.
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Hair and
Make Up
Tutorials
Exercise
Social
Classes
Evenings
Summer
Picnics
Singing
Classes
Afternoon
Teas
Photography
Shoots
Day
Trips
Massage
Classes
Arts and
Craft
Sessions
Flower
arranging
Live
Entertainment
it.
Change
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Our Exercise Groups
Healing comes in many forms. Healing the physical, healing the psyche, healing the soul. That is why we offer so much at Beyond Limits. For the physical and mental well being we have exercise classes in various forms. From PT sessions, to seated yoga, from dancing, to meditation, from a walking group, laughter therapy. We try to heal every part of the body and mind.
Our walking group meeting to get started for a walk in the sunshine, and our outdoor pursuits group learning to build shelters and create fires using basic items. Our walking group has been growing in popularity, particularly since Spring, and particularly with the gents, which is something we are very pleased to see.
Our Dance and Dine group have tried their hand at various forms of dance, from salsa to cheerleading, from Greek dancing to Jive. And in every class they give their all. And those who are even more adventurous go for it with our PT sessions.
Our Events
If you want to make a difference you have to be the difference. This is what our volunteers make sure they keep in mind with every single project. To help those in our community who are isolated and lonely, they go out of their way to make them feel special at every event, every class, every session. Every social event we have is done to the highest standard and our amazing staff and volunteers wont rest until every detail is exactly right.
Our afternoon teas and picnics were a lovely way to ease back into socialising together, whilst still being mindful of peoples worries around the pandemic. When people felt ready an evening event full of laughter and dancing was a much needed tonic as well. Over 600 people attended our social events between April and December, and everyone was safe in the knowledge every precaution had been taken and that their welfare was our prime concern.
Remembrance Day
Whilst we love our celebration events, we don’t forget some of the more sombre events on the calendar, such as Remembrance Day. Many of the members of our community are Veterans of our Armed Forces and it is important to us that they get the chance to mark such an important occasion with people they are comfortable being around and in an appropriate and honourable way. We were able to have a beautiful ceremony in the grounds of the farm, for those volunteers and service users who wanted to attend something, but did not have the ability to go to a local service at a church or town square.
One of the brave veterans who lives in our community, laying his wreath at our soldier silhouettes.
Christmas At Beyond Limits
There is no greater time than Christmas to fill everyone's hearts with love and happiness. This is what our volunteers do every year. You can see from the comments from our beneficiaries what a difference they make in people's lives.
Our fabulous Christmas Panto team, who created the magic for all the families visiting Santa's Grotto, and right, some of our little ones meeting Santa.
Just a few examples of the beautiful lights around the grounds that were switched on at the carol service, led by our wonderful choir. (Right)
Not Forgetting The Wider Community
We also made sure those in need in the wider community received something to lift their hearts and their smiles this festive season. Gifts were sent out to the local care homes, local children's hospitals, a women refuge, and to those families who were struggling to give their children a full and magical Christmas experience. We also invited several of the local community for a Chrsitmas afternoon tea that was catered by a local tea rooms. Good food, good company and fun and games was just what everyone needed.
Siobhan delivering the gifts to the children's ward ready for Christmas
Some of our volunteer team ready with the gifts to be sent out to families in need
Our Christmas Afternoon Tea guests, full of scones and ready for Santa!
A Volunteers Perspective
Our lead volunteer for catering, Linda, looking beautiful before one of our events.
"When my husband Neville died I felt lost and looked for something to fill my lonely days. I came across the Beyond Limits Facebook page where I read about a music course they were hosting and asked to join in. I now support the charity with their emergency food parcel distribution and haven’t looked back since.
I’m always on hand to help at the charity events in Ken & Susan’s beautiful home. Events happen all year around, but I especially love their garden parties and Winter Wonderland at Christmas, including a special visit from Father Christmas who brings presents for all the children."
Stephanie's story.
I first heard about Beyond Limits during the first lockdown of Covid when they wanted volunteers to help deliver care packs I first started delivering a few packs on a Friday when I could, however I now consider myself part of the team as I volunteer every Friday now.
Beyond limits has helped me in many ways mainly it gives me great pleasure in helping people and socialising with volunteers and the service users who collect the packs on a Friday.
I have become more confident since I started volunteering at Beyond limits before this I would walk into a room and not look up but now, I walk in and make myself known.
I did the PT sessions on a Saturday whether it be morning or afternoon (rain or shine) Before volunteering this is definitely not something I would have done as I would have been too ashamed / embarrassed to do this sort of thing in front of people, but the team at Beyond Limits and the instructor make you feel great about yourself from start to finish.
I am definitely a better person now and volunteering in general makes you feel really good and the number of friends I’ve made on a Friday is amazing and I feel part of the Beyond Limits family
My life was ok and normal before I started volunteering but when covid came along I was put on Furlough at the drop of the hat I decided that work wasn’t the be all and end all and requested to reduce my hours down to a 4-day week which has help with me being able to volunteer every Friday The main improvement since starting is my confidence has grown immensely and I am a happier person in general now.
The help and support I get from Sue, Linzi and all the volunteers is great I would just like to thank everyone involved as we are all doing a great job and look after each other
Our Youth Volunteers
We are incredibly proud of our youth volunteers here at Beyond Limits. So often young people are thought of as lazy, cheeky, undisciplined etc but our youth volunteers prove that that is most definitely not the case. No matter what the event they rise to the challenge and are hard working, diligent, and enthusiastic in every task that comes their way.
Jamie, one of our many young volunteers doing an excellent job sorting through donations. Jamie came to us to do some work experience for his Duke of Edinburgh Award, and decided to continue volunteering. He is a valuable member of the team and we are so pleased he decided to stay with us.
Tom has been a regular face at Beyond Limits for some time, and particularly likes helping out in the grounds with the maintenance and gardening. This has actually given him some ideas as to where he wants to go with his future employment.
Several of our young people attending a training event in their school holidays. We think this goes to show how dedicated they are.
Just to show its not all work work work, Ben joined in with some of our games at the Christmas Afternoon Tea between serving sandwiches and scones. Apparently he has a talent for moving biscuits around his face using only his facial muscles! Who knew?
Friendship Is At The Heart of What We Do
Whether at an event, sorting through aid, or preparing and planning the next project, friendship is at the heart of everything we do, and this shows when we are together. The smiles from staff, beneficiaries and volunteers alike, speak volumes.
It's all smiles and laughter when we're together.
THERE’S MUCH MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE WITH THE VOLUNTEERS AT BEYOND LIMITS. 85 PASSIONATE PEOPLE VOLUNTEER COUNTLESS HOURS SERVING VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY
How you can help
There is so much you can do to help out at Beyond Limits. With such a varied activity programme we have lots of jobs and something going on just about every day. Below is just a snap shot of the jobs we have that you can get involved in. Preparing Meals
Maintaining Grounds
Uniting Communities
Leading Activities Building Friendships
Setting up for Group Sessions
Mentoring Others
Since its start in 2015 Beyond Limits has gone from strength to strength, and that is in no small part down to the volunteers. We have 85 amazing members of the volunteer team who just want to make a difference in people's lives, and you can be part of it too.
What Can Volunteering Do For You?
Volunteering with Beyond Limits means that, not only will you change lives in the local and wider community, but your life will change for the better too. Our volunteers are valuable members of the team and we offer support, training and mentoring every step of the way. This year we have had more help than ever, stepping up to help out in such strange times, proving that people really are amazing.
If you volunteer with us we make the following commitments to you:
1 - Receive continuous training and support.
2 - Be part of a small but vibrant team.
3 - Receive travel expanses, free meals, refreshments, and uniforms. One day a month we also treat our volunteers to a revive day, such as a pamper day, a photo session, accompanied by delicious food and refreshments.
4 - You will feel great for contributing to your local community.
5 - Rewarding work experience and a reference provided.
People We've Helped
Nothing explains how important our work is better than the people we help. These are just a few of our service users comments.
“You have helped me build some confidence and be able to attend groups, giving quiet reassurance when needed. You have been a lifeline at the most important times.”
"The days out are excellent because it’s hard when you live in a small village and you can’t get out and about, because you have to rely on public transport, which isn’t always reliable, and can be expensive for a family.”
"I just had to message to say a very big “Thankyou” for including me in your ‘afternoon tea’ on Monday. From the moment I walked into the barn I was overwhelmed. It looked so beautiful re the decor and lights, I could see lots of love and effort had gone into it. I actually felt like a princess going to a ball (my inner child emerging again) lol.
Tommy emphasised how much he’d enjoyed it because he wasn’t just sitting, and was able enjoy the music and sing along with it (music being his forte)."
"I couldn’t recommend more. My girls absolutely loved it, even my older ones! It certainly added more magic to their Christmas. They were on cloud nine, and I still am, seeing their little faces, thank you!”
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We're in this together, now and
forever.
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Why Do We Do It?
It's a very simple answer. Love. Our volunteers wouldn't do what they do if they didn't love it. Yes it is hard work, and yes it can be tiring, but there is no greater feeling than helping those who need it. And that love shows on the faces and in the actions of our amazing volunteers every single day.
You have to love what you do to dress up like this willingly!
How can you not have an amazing time when this is what you create for people?
The National Lottery North Star Housing DCC Heather Smith The Martin Lewis Fund CDCF Groundworks UK The Archer Trust The William Leech Charity Bernard Sunley Foundation Garfield Weston Foundation The Rothley Trust Livin The Barbour Foundation The Souter Trust The Albert Hunt Trust County Durham Sport Partnership The Catherine Cookson Trust Asda Community Fund
None of what we do is possible without the generosity of our donors. Without the kindness, we would not be able to help people in the varied and regular ways that we do.
We want to thank you all for continuing to support us and our community.
As well as the foundations, trusts and varied organisations that continue to support us, we are blessed to receive donations from members of our community on a regular basis. We are so grateful for everyone who supports us. We could not do this without you.
LEGAL ADMINISTRATIVE
TRUSTEES Mally Wheldon - Board Chair
Linzi Nicholls - Treasurer
Ernie Malt
Ian Wilson
Louise Barrow
Karen Kahindi - Secretary
CHIEF EXECUTIVE Susan Sadler
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Kirsten Baggaley The Stables Glebe Lane Manfield DL2 2RS
CHARITY NUMBER 1168962
REGISTERED OFFICE Sadlers Farm South Side Butterknowle DL13 5JN
email beyondlimitscharity@gmail.c om Tel: 07861714779
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