Reach Annual Family Day.

The day went really well and the delivery to camera was brilliant, but what I loved the most was being in the ‘Green Room’ chatting and getting to know members Lola, Grace, Manisha, Luca, Anna, Isabella, Beth, Benny, Ella, and their families. I saw for myself how quickly the younger children became entranced by the older Reach members and held onto their every word. I saw a unique friendship that was born out of the Buddy System; that was a joy to experience and see how the girls’ confidence grew the longer they were together. I chatted to mums and dads, and it was strange to think we had never met before as the Reach family spirit is always prevalent even in phone calls and emails, and it was like we already knew each other.

It was a real privilege to have Melissa Johns presenting the arts section and being able to talk from a personal point of view, she could ask the probing questions that can only come from someone
who shares the same experience. I was bursting with pride for Ella Dickinson emerging as a
butterfly from a shy young girl, she did such an excellent job co-presenting with Alastair, we

really want to explore some more of our teen+ members co-presenting for future years as that is who Reach is all about.

As most of you know it was a hybrid event this year, filmed and broadcast from a studio in Surrey. It was all a learning experience for Kate and me; we didn’t realise we would have to do a run through the night before and how flexible the running schedule has to be on the day because of bad internet connections or interviews over-running because they were so good, we couldn’t stop them! We desperately missed Briony, but she has promised to be an integral part of the Annual Family Weekend 2022.

A huge and massive thank you to everyone who took part, including Alastair Greener who is the
nicest man ever and, as always, gave his time free of charge to Reach. Also, a super massive
thank you to Reach member, James Jones (joint owner of Virtual Studios) and his crew, what an amazing job they do, without them we wouldn’t have been able to reach out to our members over the
last 18 months. (James et al also filmed and broadcast the Reach Insights webinar series we did January to May 2021).

I am so pleased that we are going to be able to all come together again next year and make memories as a Reach family, but as requested by so many of you, we will have a virtual element of the day so that it is more inclusive than it has ever been.

The weekend is October 21st to 23rd 2022, at Woodland Grange, Leamington Spa. Details of the event and conference are yet to be announced, but rooms are available to book now, please quote ‘Reach’ when you email or ring on enquires@makevenues.co.uk
01926 336621

Also, we look forward to such an exciting time ahead with all the Christmas parties that are in the diary. Fingers crossed COVID doesn’t raise its ugly
head again.