Let's Create! - Reach Learning Disability - Supporting People with Learning Disabilities

Our Let's Move appeal is aiming to raise £52,000 to empower adults with learning disabilities to lead happier, healthier and more active lives. Watch our film to find out more.

A massive thank you to our wonderful community, you raised over £50,000 via our Big Give Christmas Challenge. In just one week!

When you donated to our Let's Create project this December, your gift unlocked match-funding and had double the impact, thank you!

Your support is empowering adults with learning disabilities to develop confidence, express themselves, build connections and friendship. Thank you - your gift will make a difference to local people's lives and increase the opportunities available to adults with learning disabilities in Nottinghamshire.

Thank you for enabling over 200 adults with learning disabilities to:

Enjoy creative activities and courses such as performing arts, crafts, woodwork and much more
Feel more confident
Improve their confidence and self-esteem
Try new things and discover a passion.

Your Big Give Christmas Challenge donation is going towards:

8 new creative courses across Mansfield, Newark and Southwell shaped by client feedback
Exhibitions and performances to celebrate creativity and challenge stereotypes
5 day trips to art-focused venues for 75 adults with learning disabilities
Tackling of barriers to participation, including transport and accessibility
Safe, supportive spaces where people can express themselves, build friendships and grow in confidence.

We'd also like to say a big thank you to our charity champion The Reed Foundation and to our pledgers including Southwell & District Lions Club, Rotary Club of Newark, The Arts Society Trent Valley and local individuals.

Client Stories

Tom

"I probably like Art the most. My favourite thing is doing the characters because it is a challenge for us, getting the eyes right. The way Buster describes it to us helps."

"I feel proud when Buster puts my art up on the wall, I can point to it and say ‘I did that one’."

Charlotte

“I like taking photos of people when they’re smiling.”

Knowing of Charlotte's talent, Samantha (Flower Pod Newark Centre Manager) asked Charlotte to photograph her wedding. “I was amazed and really pleased. She knew I could take lots of amazing pictures.”

Kerry

“Dance makes me excited and confident in front of everyone, with loads of people in the audience.”

“Dancing is Kerry’s passion. It’s really brought her out of her shell. She absolutely loves coming to Reach." - Kerry's Mum

A banner with an orange background and white snowflake icons reads “Your doubled donations could fund…”. Below are three panels showing examples of what donations can achieve: Left panel: Two people working together with green yarn and knitting needles. Text reads “£25 = £50 New creative resources requested by clients”. Middle panel: A group gathered around a table with art materials. Text reads “£50 = £100 A two hour creative class for 10 led by an Expert Tutor”. Right panel: A group standing outside a building with a “Museum” sign. Text reads “£150 = £300 Staff support to enable a day trip to a creative hub”.

A banner with an orange background and white snowflake icons reads “Your doubled donations could fund…”. Below is a photo of Two people working together with green yarn and knitting needles. Text reads “£25 = £50 New creative resources requested by clients”. Then below that: A group gathered around a table with art materials. Text reads “£50 = £100 A two hour creative class for 10 led by an Expert Tutor”. Photo below: A group standing outside a building with a “Museum” sign. Text reads “£150 = £300 Staff support to enable a day trip to a creative hub”.

Why people with learning disabilities need your support

I'm Becca, Tutor at Reach Newark. Everyday, I see how creative activities transform lives.

Many of the adults with learning disabilities we support face low confidence, poor mental health and social isolation. But when they take part in dance, drama, crafts or singing, something shifts. These sessions help people feel more confident, more connected, and more themselves. People like Charlotte, who shares her infectious enthusiasm with us all.

Your support of Let's Create will enable:

Over 200 adults with learning disabilities in Nottinghamshire to enjoy creative activities and courses such as performing arts, crafts, woodwork and much more
8 new creative courses shaped by client feedback
Exhibitions and performances to celebrate creativity and challenge stereotypes
5 day trips to art-focused venues for 75 adults with learning disabilities
Tackling of barriers to participation, including transport and accessibility
Safe, supportive spaces where people can express themselves, build friendships and grow in confidence.

Your donation will be doubled — making twice the impact. Together, we can help more adults with learning disabilities lead happier, healthier and more independent lives.

If you have any questions or would like more information about our Let's Create appeal and our plans for 2026, please email sarosha.byrne@reachuk.org

In the happy event of exceeding our £50,000 target, any additional funds donated through the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025 will also go towards our 'Let's Create' project, empowering adults with learning disabilities.

If we do not reach our target, we will shape activities accordingly while still delivering creative activities for the people we support.