Changing Young People’s lives with Go Beyond
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Published 23 Aug 2022 in Communities
A year has now passed since Your Co-op Travel partnered with charity Go Beyond and we’re proud to say we have helped more than 760 vulnerable children enjoy a break.
Thanks to the commitment of Your Co-op Travel donating £1 per passenger to the charity for every Co-op Holidays package booked, Go Beyond supports children and young people, aged 8-15, who are facing serious challenges in their everyday lives, such as bereavement, abuse, bullying, poverty or being a carer for loved ones. In addition to this, the breaks also focus on improving physical and mental wellbeing, learning about the environment and tackling food poverty with a range of activities and healthy nutritious meals.
A chance to get away and have a break
Establishing its partnership with Go Beyond last Summer, it provides Young People with a chance to have a break via a mix of residential stays and day visits to have new experiences, learn skills or make new friends, all whilst helping them escape the worries and pressures of life, free of charge.
So far, an incredible 760 vulnerable children have enjoyed a break and we look forward to another year of fantastic support. Sara Dunham, Chief Officer for Travel & Leisure shared more:
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Go Beyond for a second year. As a travel business, we recognise how important a break can be for your mental health, so it’s great to be able to provide these getaways for young people who face challenging situations every day.
Not only that but as part of a co-operative, supporting our local communities is at the heart of everything we do. We’re so proud to be able to support Go Beyond thanks to the help of our holidaymakers and it’s great to see first-hand how we’re helping young people create ‘forever moments’, grow in confidence and make new friends.”
Supporting Go Beyond
Over the last year, Your Co-op Travel has also made a £50,000 donation to help offset any impact of the coronavirus pandemic from holiday booking donations.
And now, to celebrate committing to the second year of partnership, they have pledged to donate a further £50,000 to the charity. It will also be supporting them with its marketing and providing the charity with Christmas selection boxes via Your Co-op Food stores.
Throughout the second year of the partnership, they will continue to encourage their customers to donate a further £1 per holiday booking with them or their associated third-party travel companies, as well as collecting donations of unused currencies via collection boxes in branches.
Making a real difference to children & young people
This was a letter from a child who attended a break after being referred to Go Beyond by her social worker to give her time away from her turbulent day-to-day life where she witnessed and experienced abuse.
“I want to give a big thank you for the amazing week you gave me at Go Beyond. I had that much of a great time, it was so emotional to say goodbye.
Every night, before bed, we would give our favourite part of the day and why. But I think really, we should take the time to appreciate the fact, that you made us have a favourite part of the day, every day. I can’t wait to see you all again.”
“On behalf of the children Your Co-op Travel has supported, we would like to say a very heartfelt thank you. Your support has turned apprehension into confidence and sadness into smiles, helping young people to believe in a bigger, brighter future! You make it possible to offer children and young people a break that lasts a lifetime.” Hayley Mann, Senior Break Leader, at Go Beyond
To find out more about Go Beyond and see how Your Co-op continue to make a difference, click here.