Reach out for Big Christmas Challenge in Nottinghamshire

Reach Learning Disability is again taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge – a national matched funding campaign that enables people to have their donations to charity doubled for one week.
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The Nottinghamshire charity aims to raise £40,000 towards its work to support people with learning disabilities to participate more fully in the online community and embrace the digital age.

Money raised will help fund online learning, social activities and resources delivered by expert staff to enable people with learning disabilities to feel confident to use online services safely and help to reduce the risk of feeling lonely and anxious.

Maria Williams, Reach Mansfield centre manager, talked to Matthew and his mum Gillian about how Reach’s online services have made such a difference to them in recent times.

People have been able to stay in touch with friends at Reach through Zoom meetingsPeople have been able to stay in touch with friends at Reach through Zoom meetings
People have been able to stay in touch with friends at Reach through Zoom meetings

Before lockdown, Matthew attended Reach Mansfield several times a week and has enjoyed being able to keep in touch with his friends.

Gillian said: “Reach has been an absolute godsend.

"Lockdown has been isolating for all of us but especially for Matthew as he isn’t able to go out on his own.

“It has been marvellous that the Reach Zoom sessions have given him an opportunity to carry on seeing his friends”.

Maria added: “It’s been great to see Matthew joining in with our online activities, our weekly Zoom classes not only help Matthew to keep in touch with people, they help him to keep up some of the vital skills for independence that he would normally practice when he comes to Reach.”

Steve Shatwell, Reach’s chief executive, said: “We are asking people to support our Big Give Christmas Challenge and help us to expand our online support, courses and activities and of course to help address loneliness and isolation in the coming year.”

This year Reach’s charity champion is the Monday Charitable Trust while local pledgers include first4care, Mansfield Rotary Club, the Mary Robertson Trust and private individuals.

To get donations doubled, people need to go the Big Give Christmas Challenge website from 12noon on December 1 to 12noon on December 8 and search for Reach Learning Disability, My Place Online appeal.

Click here for more information.

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