Go Beyond Seaside Retreat 2023

Go Beyond is the kids’ wellness charity to which we donate 1% of our profits. They do incredible work to help kids from difficult and disadvantaged backgrounds experience fun holidays at their two UK centres in Cornwall and Derby.

On these countryside breaks, Go Beyond’s expert staff and volunteers give children and young people who have been bereaved, abused or bullied, who are living in poverty or caring for loved ones the chance to escape their worries and pressures. 

In July 2023, Oliver’s Travels marketing team took the opportunity to head down to Go Beyond’s seaside retreat in Tywrdreath, Cornwall. They were welcomed by Go Beyond’s Business Development Manager Tamsyn who showed us to the sports barn where the centre’s fantastic staff and volunteers have set up a football pitch, ball games and even two trampolines – we couldn’t resist a go ourselves!

The team got stuck into ball games and fun gymnastics on the lawn, a giggly game of ‘Dragon’s Lair’ and a party-style lunch with the kids. Afterwards, they enjoyed arts and crafts in the centre’s art room and a round of indoor archery!

Following this, the kids hopped into a couple of minibuses and headed off for an afternoon of trampolining at an indoor centre nearby. We waved them off and they shouted a wonderful ‘thank you’ which made all our hearts soar.

Once they departed, the OT team had the chance to sit down with Tamsyn and Go Beyond’s centre manager Sharon to talk about the wonderful, invaluable work that they do here. Whether they’re suffering from neglect, poverty, bullying, abuse, or living as young carers, these are children who have probably never been on holiday before – or have too many responsibilities at home to live the carefree life that most kids do.

Sharon and Tamsyn showed us around the rest of the centre, including the kids sleeping quarters – a converted barn with cool and comfy bunk beds – the chillout room with pool table, dartboard, plush sofas and more games and books, as well as the toy store that the kids get to choose an item from at the end of the stay to take home. 

There was just enough time for the OT team to nip down to the beach at Par to see where the kids get to unwind for an afternoon during their 5-day stay. The beach is absolutely idyllic and a real treat for those who rarely get to experience sand between their toes. The kids can swim, play on the sand and explore caves and rockpools during their seaside retreat.

From here, it was time for the OT team to make it back to the train station. We said our goodbyes to Sharon and Tamsyn and made the journey back to London, filled with a day of lovely memories and a determination to continue our support for this exceptional charity whose work is so monumentally valuable.

Go Beyond currently receive referrals from teachers and social workers for children who are in need of a break (you can also refer a child here). Many children in the UK from difficult and disadvantaged backgrounds could benefit from one of these week-long retreats, so we’re proud to be continuing to work with this fantastic charity for many years to come.

If you would like to make a difference too, please follow this link to donate. You can also become a volunteer to help inspire confidence and self-belief in young people during their memorable retreat.