Our October 2021 Hybrid Family Day was a wonderful mix of in the studio & virtual interviews, chats on the sofa & performances with an amazing variety of talented members, artists, musician’s, author’s, designer’s and of course Paralympians!
Alastair Greener, long term presenter at our Family Weekends, was joined this year by actor, disability activist and Reach Ambassador Melissa Johns and Youth Ambassador Ella Dickinson. A fully packed day included content for all the family!
Check out the interviews, stories, musical renditions shared throughout the day.
Meet the incredible Reach Paralympians!
Claire Cashmore, Ellen Keane, Amy Truesdale, and Toni Shaw all joined us virtually to chat and catch up on their incredible summer in Tokyo, from then, to now, to what is coming up next.
Story Corner
This wonderful section will be focusing on representation in books, conversations around uniqueness, inclusion and the beauty of diversity.
In the studio, Matthew Jenkins, author of the Chops series and his daughter Isabella will be chatting with Alastair, Mina Minozzi author of Alf’s power and David Broadbent author of The Rollercoaster Ride will be chatting virtually, plus Reach members who were involved in the planning stages with the publishers, Child’s play, will be joining in with the conversations.
Throughout the day all these books pictured will be read aloud either by the authors or by Reach members.
Click here to watch a selection of the books shared on the day!
The Sue Stokes Award
Joint winners, 16 year old Jake Carswell and 6 year old Luca Reese!
Click to watch the presentation
Ella Dickinson our Youth Ambassador, announces and presents this years Sue Stokes Award in the studio, to watch and read the Trustee’s statements about the winners click here!
Arts & Music
Our Reach Ambassador Melissa Johns leads the Arts section from the studio. Melissa chats with Alastair about her Ambassador role and her work throughout lockdown and what’s coming up!
Interviews with Beth Hinton-Lever, actress and winner of the Evening Standard Future Theatre Fund and Milton Lopez, theatre and screen actor, musician, writer and director.
Reach talented dancers!
Reach ‘dance’ members showcase their wonderful talents!
Reach oRchestRa
The Reach oRchestRa are back! Watch their first performance since winning the Music & Drama Awards Excellence in SEND category. They will also return with another performance towards the end of the day.
Bake Along with Briony
Join Reach Ambassador and Food Unwrapped presenter, Briony Williams and her helpers, Bonnie, Dougie and Norah, as she demonstrates how to bake some gloriously tasty treats!
Click here to get prepared & ready to bake along!
Reach Buddies
Hugely successful over lockdown, Alastair and Ella will be chatting to Reach members who were buddied up, connected with each other online, wrote letters, and are continuing their friendships.
Reach Trustee Ruth Lester updates on the latest research on parents experiences on finding their baby has a limb difference, headed by the health professionals Reach subcommittee.
Colm Creamer has been a member since before he could form memories, Reach was a HUGE part of his childhood as his dad, Chris, was a trustee and Chairman of the Irish branch. Take a watch of a wonderful chat!
Open Bionics
Open Bionics have been connected with Reach for many years. Alastair will be discussing the Hero Arm and its technology, joining this conversation will be Open Bionics Trustee, LimBo Foundation Ambassador and Reach member, Beverley Gormley. Bev successfully crowdfunded and in February this year became the very proud owner of her Hero Arm!
Koalaa
Reach Youth Ambassador Ella Dickinson talks to the founder of Koalaa, Nate Macabuag alongside Reach mum Cathryn Baker and daughter Grace who just that day had been presented with her new Koalaa prosthetic. It is heart-warming for all to see the confident Grace talk about her Mitt!
The Annual General meeting
Chair Clare Salters, the Treasurer Jo Dixon and Reach National Coordinator Deb Bond chat with Alastair and answer questions asked by members.
