Challengers’ Five-Year Strategy Is Aimed At Helping Many More Disabled Children

Published on: 11 Sep, 2024
Updated on: 13 Sep, 2024

The aim of Challengers’ five-year plan is to increase the number of children who are helped to 1,000.

By David Reading

Challengers, the Guildford-based charity that supports disabled youngsters, has launched a five-year strategy that aims to increase significantly the number of children it is able to help.

At present the charity has capacity to help 750 children but the aim of the five-year plan is to increase this to 1,000. There will be additional fundraising and an increase in the number of services Challengers runs.

The demand for support services for disabled children and their families is larger than ever, says Chief Executive Officer Gen Dearman.

Launched in 1979, Challengers gives disabled children and young people the opportunity to play, have fun, and make friends in a safe and supportive environment. The charity supports children aged 2–18 at a range of services across the South East.

Gen Dearman said: “Families aren’t getting the respite they desperately need, and disabled children are still being excluded and denied their basic right to play. As a result, they’re facing social isolation, deteriorating mental health and family breakdowns.

Gen Dearman, CEO Challengers

“Despite a challenging external environment, now is not the time to stand still, and families need us to be ambitious in our approach. Our new strategy marks a significant milestone in advancing our life-changing work so that we can transform the lives of even more disabled children, young people, and their families through the power of play.”

The newly-developed strategy will guide Challengers’ efforts until 2029, when the charity will mark its 50th year. With a focus on increasing capacity, expanding the range of services offered, and providing family-focused support services, the strategy aligns with a new charitable mission to create meaningful change for disabled children and families.

Challengers provides the opportunity to play, have fun, and make friends in a safe and supportive environment.

The charity unveiled its new strategy at a special event at its Farnham Playcentre on September 3, attended by a group of supporters including patrons, funders, parent trustees and ambassadors, business supporters, and key community figures.

On Sunday (September 15) the charity will host its first Orange Aid Family Festival – a free event at which more than 400 disabled children and their parents will be attending.

Challengers says: “This will be a vibrant celebration of community, inclusion and fun – exclusively for families of disabled children. Orange Aid will provide a unique opportunity for children and families in the local area to come together, where they can relax, have fun and be themselves without judgement, and contribute to the charity’s aim of building a network of support for families.”

Learn more about Challengers’ new five-year strategy at: disability-challengers.org/strategy