**2023/4 Impact Report** 

At Zero Limits we believe in the impossible! We turn the won’t into will and can’t into can. 



## Welcome from our Founder & Chair 

On behalf of the children, families, volunteers, and community partners at Zero Limits, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support. Thanks to you, children with additional needs and their families no longer just cope – they thrive. 

In 2024, we saw extraordinary growth in our programs, reaching more families and empowering more children than ever before. None of this would have been possible without our dedicated volunteers, generous community partners, and the unwavering commitment of our supporters. 

As we move into 2025, we are more determined than ever to meet the challenges of a cost of living crisis, all while ensuring we remain a safe haven for families who rely on our services. Together, we are committed to providing high-quality, tailored programs that truly make a difference. 

At Zero Limits, we continue to believe in the impossible, because with your support, anything is achievable. 

Thank you for being a part of this journey. 

Mr Avrohom Moshe Rabinowitz, Founder 

## Our Vision 

## Our Mission 

We believe in the impossible! We turn won’t into will and can’t into can. 


Our mission is to **provide full-day programmes and activities during school holidays and half term breaks for children 5-18 with special educational needs and disabilities** . 

With Zero Limits, instead of dreading the holidays, **families and children can look forward to a calm and peaceful break** 

_My son loves going to Zero Limits. He is very happy there; looks forward to every single day!_ 

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## The children we support 

## Understanding Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) 

Zero Limits works with children aged 5-18 with a range of special educational needs - from moderate to severe. 

A child or young person who requires special health and education support due to a learning difficulty and/or disability is considered to have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). A child or young person’s difficulties may be caused by recognised conditions such as: 

Autism/ Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Dyslexia and/or Dyspraxia Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Physical disability e.g. Cerebral Palsy Hearing and/or visual impairment Learning disability e.g. Down’s syndrome Medical conditions e.g. epilepsy[1] 

SEND can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn in multiple ways. Some examples include challenges with socialising, reading and writing, ability to understand things, concentration levels and physical abilities.[2] 

My son’s additional needs mean that he struggles with impulsivity and anger. He doesn’t even realise he is doing it. For example, he might shriek in someone’s ear or take their things; other children misunderstand and think he is deliberately being aggressive. At home, situations can quickly escalate to what we call whirlpool level! 


1 https://www.sendandyou.org.uk/about-us/send-info/ 2 https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs 

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## We don’t just fill gaps, we bridge chasms. 

Zero Limits bridges a crucial gap in care for SEND children from a low-income minority group, the local Jewish community in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. This **4000-strong group** is in an area of high deprivation where many families simply cannot afford extra carers and need culturally sensitive provision. Research by community anchor body, JCCG, showed that **95% of community households** worried their income was insufficient for current or future needs. 

While SEND children are supported during term time with school and after school activities, when the holidays arrive, **there are no programmes** to support them to maintain the consistency and routine they vitally need. 

Jewish holidays, summer and winter breaks, half term… on average these holidays amount to around **3000 hours** . That’s over **25% of one year** . 

Holidays should be a time of joy and celebration, but without external support, they can quickly spiral into periods of extreme stress for parents. Children with SEND require a high level of day-to-day planning and emotional and physical support, which can be overwhelming for parents and families to provide by themselves at home. Arranging ad hoc outside care can be difficult and costly. 

- _Before Zero Limits, holidays were a nightmare. We would_ “My child has ASD and ADHD and it’s important that they have consistent support around them at all times. They are mostly _have to make patchy arrangements with a string of individual carers._ non-verbal and experience significant anxiety". _There is nothing else for us. I don’t know what we would do without Zero Limits._ 

-Zero Limits parent 

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Parents and siblings struggle to get the rest they need during breaks and SEND children return to term-time dysregulated and frustrated. A lack of respite can lead to long-term consequences such as family dysfunction and mental health issues for parents. 

## **A Mother’s Story** 

Zero Limits was born when Founder, Mr. Rabinowitz, received a heartbreaking phone call from a mother who had reached her limit. At the end of another nightmare school holiday trying to care for both her son with SEND and her wider family she was at the brink and facing an impossible decision. 

Everyone was suffering. Her son was dysregulated, distressed and behaving dangerously. His siblings were struggling with the chaos this created. Emotionally and physically exhausted, his mother was facing increasing pressure from friends and wider family, who said her son should no longer live at home...an agonising choice she never thought she’d have to make. 

Zero Limits was founded to save her and others from reaching this point. 

**When everyone else steps out, leaving families isolated and desperate, Zero Limits steps in.** 

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## Achievements and Performance 

Zero Limits provides **full day programmes and activities during school holidays** , half term breaks and Jewish holidays for children with SEND. 

Activities support SEND children to **develop and thrive** in a **safe environment** , to have fun, be themselves and feel unlimited. 

We support residents of Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, **spanning the 3 wards** of Saltwell, Bridges, and Lobley Hill & Bensham 



My son is quite sensory with food and they went out of their way to get what he likes. 

## Programmes and Activities 

Delivered by experienced SEND practitioners and trained volunteers, each programme provides a structured routine of holistic care including: 

Nutritious meals and snacks Sensory activities Educational outings Games Social skills groups Crafts Life skills sessions Music and song 

## 100% of parents say: 

Their child is happy at Zero Limits The environment feels safe and secure Zero Limits meets their child’s needs 

Zero Limits is a positive environment which builds my son up. At home, he often needs to be told what he can’t do - Zero Limits is his own space and boost his confidence. 

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## **Programme Highlights 2023/2024** 

**Every child unique** Cc **ommunity** 

We restructured our programme to include two divisions. These cater for different types and levels of needs. This ensures that each child gets the resources, support and environment that they need to thrive. 

We have increased community engagement. More people have taken part in fundraising and volunteering than ever before. We are advocating for our SEND children and ensuring their voices are heard in the community. 

Vv **olunteering** 

We have expanded our volunteering programme and developed a new training provision. We now have more volunteers with higher skill levels. 

**Parent support** 

We have increased our support to parents. We collaborate on programme design. We have also provided advice about other services and sources of support for their families. 

My child’s favourite activities were the petting zoo, choir and the outing! 



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## **'Our Year in Numbers'** 

Zero Limits is a game-changer. However positive their outlook when they entered the holidays, every family with a challenging child used to come out of it extremely worn, extremely pressured and extremely stressed. Zero Limits means that these families can now exit these periods refreshed and revitalised. The difference is colossal. 

- Mr Avrohom Moshe Rabinowitz, Founder 

38 SEND children supported 

- 12 holiday programmes 

- 795 hours of activity provision 

- 155 volunteers engaged 

- 14,000 hours of volunteering 

- 103 people participated in the Zero Limits annual sponsored bike ride 

- 39 people took part in a sponsored rock climb 

- 180 immediate family members benefited 



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## **Thriving Lives for SEND Children** 

Zero Limits programmes ensured that 38 SEND children: 

Kept learning and developing every day of the year. Maintained consistent routines, decreasing stress and dysfunction. Reduced dysregulation at school. 

The programmes help my child to keep up his skills in the holidays. 

He is so calm and settled when he comes home. 


## **We asked** pP **arents:** 

How does your child come home from Zero Limits? 

Calm Content Happy Tired Content Happy Calm Happy Tired Calm CalmHappyContent Calm Calm Happy Content Happy 

Excited 

The greatest benefit of Zero Limits is the consistency and routine. This means the world to a SEND child; we’d be lost without it. 

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## **Better quality of life for families** 

Reduced pressure to organise holiday support. Much-needed respite. Increasing quality time for siblings. Alleviated financial hardship 

## How parents describe Zero Limits in word: 

Brilliant Lifesaver Lifesaver AmazingLifesaver Fun Lifesaver Lifesaver Lifesaver Very helpful 

My child comes home in a good mood; which lasts a while. This benefits the whole family. 

My child realises that her behaviour bothers her siblings sometimes, but she can’t control it and then feels guilty. When they have time apart, they all feel better about themselves. 


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## Young people empowered via volunteering 

Local volunteers aged 16-25 from disadvantaged backgrounds: 

Gained confidence and grew a peer support network. Learned teaching, mentoring and education skills. Developed leadership skills. Took part in an annual sponsored bike ride. 

- 75% of volunteers made new friends 

- 91% said they had a rewarding experience 

- 96% would recommend volunteering to others 

- 100% felt well supported in their role 

The community has stood behind Zero Limits to demonstrate the power of each person playing their part. 

- 103 crowdfunding teams 

- £75,300 raised 

- 2049 individual donations 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
There is nothing more rewarding than giving!<br>I have gained so much from Zero Limits!<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>



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## Community 

Zero Limits was born out of the concern and care of a committed community member and continues to grow because of the generosity and engagement of its volunteers, partners and wider community. To connect with SEND children, Zero Limits receives referrals from schools, synagogues and healthcare professionals in the community, as well as directly from families. 

Community partners include: 

Local mainstream schools (Keser Girls School, Keser Torah Boys School, The Gateshead Cheder, Gateshead Jewish Nursery 

Haskel (local SEND school) SPLASH (after school programmes for SEND children) Gateshead Local Authority Community Anchor Body: The Jewish Community Council of Gateshead Connected Voice 

## Volunteers 

Volunteers are integral to delivering Zero Limit’s mission. Working as counsellors, activity leaders, drivers, cooks and across a range of other roles, they truly make the impossible possible. Our team of 130 volunteers are mostly 16-25 year olds from the local community, often from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

The volunteers are so positive. They come back and say how gorgeous our child has been - they bring out the best in every child. 

My son has connected with the volunteers very nicely - making friends is hard for him with his autism. Some of the volunteers have been particularly outstanding and he can feel that. 

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## Our Team 

The Zero Limits leadership team has extensive experience working with children with SEND. 

Our trustees contribute a wealth of personal experiences, professional expertise and a strong dedication to community work: 

**Mr Rabinowitz,** Founder, is Lead Governor at the QE Hospital Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust. He is a board member and Patient Advocate in The DASH Group. 

**Mr Sugarman MBE** , Trustee, is the founder of Haskel - a SEND school he created when his son was diagnosed with global developmental delay. 

**Mr Lobenstein** , Trustee, is a teacher in a local school and has a child with additional needs. 

**Mr Jonathan Klajn** , Trustee, is a dedicated champion of the community’s needs via his role as Projects Director at The Jewish Community Council Gateshead. 



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## Thank You 

We're hugely grateful to our volunteers, friends and supporters. We cherish the partnerships we have built with supportive funders this year. 




## _**TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS**_ 

## _**LOCAL AUTHORITY FUNDING:**_ 

Community Chest Fund (UKSPF) Brighten the Day/HAF 

Hadrian Trust National Lottery Community Fund The Respite Association 

David Solomon Charitable Trust LCF Belacqua Trust The Percy Bilton Charity Community Chest Fund (UKSPF) Brighten the Day/HAF Lifeline 4 Kidz Cash 4 Kids The Wakeham Trust 

## _**CORPORATE SPONSORS:**_ 

ACE Windows NE Ltd AME Building Services Arrow Investments Coatsworth Eye Clinic Dansky's Eccleston Investment Limited Gas Services NE Lehmann’s Pick & Mix Paradise Regal Chocolatiers 

Your support has turned can't into can. 






DAVID SOLOMON Charitable Trust 

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## Future Plans 

Zero Limits has quickly established itself as a prominent and impactful community led organisation. Accordingly, our vision for expansion is ambitious and informed by the needs of the families and communities we serve. With increased funding and continued community support, we envision: 

Higher quality of care and personalised plans for each child. Expansion of services to include more support for mainstream children. Expansion of our volunteer cohort and delivery of enhanced training. Engaging more community members in our activities and volunteering. Supporting families to access further services that they struggle to access due to cultural barriers. 



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The whole family is calmer…my child<br>has support to fulfil his potential…<br>Zero Limits has changed our lives.<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


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**COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 13500461 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1203079** 

## **Zero Limits WAP** 

**Company Limited by Guarantee** 

## **Directors' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** 

## **Year ended 31 July 2024** 

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## **Zero Limits WAP** 

**Company Limited by Guarantee Unaudited Financial Statements 31 July 2024** 

## **   ** 

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## **   ** 

**     ** 

           

                                                     

## **  ** 

                                                           

 



## **Zero Limits WAP** 

## **Company Limited by Guarantee** 

## **Directors' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_ 

## **Year ended 31 July 2024** 

## **  ** 

                                                            

                      

                                     

## ** ** 

                                   

## **Zero Limits WAP** 

## **Company Limited by Guarantee** 

## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Directors of Zero Limits WAP** 

## **31 July 2024** 

                         

## **    ** 

                                       ’  

                                      ’               ‘    ’                        

## **  ** 

                         

## **  ** 

                   

                    

                              

                          ‘                  

                                                 

    

                                      

            

        

   

 

 



## **Zero Limits WAP** 

## **Company Limited by Guarantee** 

## **Statement of Financial Activities** 

## **Zero Limits WAP** 

## **Company Limited by Guarantee** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements** 

## **(including income and expenditure account)** 

## **31 July 2024** 

## **31 July 2024** 

|****<br><br>**  **<br> <br>** **<br>****<br>   <br>     <br>   <br>** **<br>**      **<br>**  **<br>   <br>**   **<br>****<br>****<br>****|****<br><br><br> <br>****<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>|<br><br>** **<br>****<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>|<br> <br> <br>|
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                      

|****<br>** **<br><br>     <br>****|<br> <br><br>|<br> <br> <br> <br><br>|<br> <br> <br> <br><br>|
|---|---|---|---|
|**      **<br>**  **<br>**    **<br>** **<br>**   **<br> <br>****|<br><br><br><br><br>||<br><br><br><br><br>|
|**  **||||



                           

##   

-                          

-                         

-                     

-                            

    

**            ** 

**            ** 

 

 



## **Zero Limits WAP** 

## **Company Limited by Guarantee** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements** 

## **Year ended 31 July 2024** 

## **  ** 

                                        

## **   ** 

                                                             

## **  ** 

## **  ** 

                                 

               

## ** ** 

           

## **      ** 

                                                

## ** ** 

## **Zero Limits WAP** 

## **Company Limited by Guarantee** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_ 

## **Year ended 31 July 2024** 

- **   ** 

## ** ** 

                                                    

-                           

-             

-                                                                   

-                                                    

## ** ** 

                                    

-                      

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-                                           

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                   

               

                                 

-                        

                                           

## ** ** 

                       

 

 



## **Zero Limits WAP** 

## **Company Limited by Guarantee** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements** 

## **Year ended 31 July 2024** 

- **  ** _****_ ** ** _****_ 

                 

                       

        

                                             

                                                              

                              

                                                     

                                      

                                        

## **   ** 

                            

## **Zero Limits WAP** 

## **Company Limited by Guarantee** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_ 

## **Year ended 31 July 2024** 

## **  ** 

|** **||||
|---|---|---|---|
|**     **<br><br>  <br><br>  <br><br>  <br><br>  <br>****<br><br><br><br>     <br> <br><br>|<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>****<br>****<br>**** <br>|****<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>****<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>|** **<br>****<br>**** <br><br><br>|
|||||
||||** **<br>****<br>**** <br><br><br>|
|||||
|||| <br><br><br>|



## **      ** 

## **       ** 

|**      **||||
|---|---|---|---|
|<br>  <br> <br>  <br> <br><br>  <br> <br>  <br> |<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>|****<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>****<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>|** **<br>****<br>**** <br><br><br><br>|
|||||
||||** **<br>****<br>**** <br><br><br><br>|
|||||



 

 



## **Zero Limits WAP** 

## **Company Limited by Guarantee** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_ 

## **Year ended 31 July 2024** 

## **       ** 

|<br><br>  <br> <br>  <br> |<br> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>–<br><br><br>–<br>–<br>–<br>|<br><br><br><br>–<br>–<br><br><br>****|<br>** **<br>****<br>****<br><br><br><br><br>| <br><br><br><br><br><br>|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||



## **    ** 

| <br> <br>  <br><br><br> <br><br>  <br><br><br> <br>  <br> <br><br><br> <br><br> <br> <br> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>****|<br>** **<br>****<br><br><br><br><br><br>| <br><br><br><br><br>–<br>|
|---|---|---|
||||



## **   ** 

## **   ** 

|    <br>   <br>  |<br><br>|
|---|---|



## **Zero Limits WAP** 

## **Company Limited by Guarantee** 

## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_ 

## **Year ended 31 July 2024** 

|**Zero Limits WAP**<br>**Company Limited by Guarantee**<br>**Notes to the Financial Statements****_(continued)_**<br>**Year ended 31 July 2024**||
|---|---|
|**  **<br>****<br>****<br>****<br>      <br>     <br>|<br><br>|
|** **<br>              <br>****<br>****<br>****<br>  <br>|<br><br>|
|            ||



-               

## **    ** 

                   

|****<br>****<br> |<br><br>****<br>****<br><br>|
|---|---|
|**      **<br>****<br>   <br> |<br><br>****<br>****<br><br><br><br>|
||<br>|



|  <br>**  **<br> |<br><br><br>|<br><br>|
|---|---|---|
||||



 

 



## **Zero Limits WAP** 

## **Company Limited by Guarantee** 

**Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_ 

## **Year ended 31 July 2024** 

## **      ** 

|  <br><br><br> <br><br>  <br><br><br> <br>|<br><br><br>****<br>**  **<br>****<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>  <br><br><br><br><br>|
|---|---|



|**     **<br> <br>    <br>** **<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>****|** **<br>****<br>****<br><br><br>|
|---|---|
|****<br> <br>    <br>** **<br><br><br><br><br><br>| <br><br><br><br><br>|
|** **||



                            

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