RAW 2026 | Connection, Belonging, Freedom to Be Themselves

Shared from Within Reach Magazine Summer 2026. Read it now!

What makes Reach Activity Week (RAW) special isn’t just the activities – it’s the sense of connection, belonging and freedom that comes from spending time with other people who simply get it.

Don’t just take it from us, take it from the some of this year’s RAW
mentors, the ones who gave up a week to play, guide, and learn.

First time mentor – Ellie

“It was the first evening of RAW 2026, we were gathered in a circle on the grass outside Carlton lodge. After a welcoming brief from Claire, she asked us one by one, around the circle, what we were most looking forward to. Most kids sprung with enthusiasm for the gorge walk and zip line, excellent choices having now done them. But for me, as my first year mentoring, it was less about the activities and more about the atmosphere. Rather candidly a pun slipped out as I said “I want to see RAW energy”. There are no mistakes in art, what flows goes. This idea of “RAW energy” gave me something to think about, what does that mean? I didn’t know what it was that I was looking for, but when I felt it, I knew for sure I had found it. 

The dining room was arranged into two long tables. Unfortunately, the dining room was also the climbing gym and sports hall, so with 32 kids it turned into an amphitheatre of chaos. I grabbed a seat and hoped for the best. I found myself amongst the girls of room 11, these ones love to talk – I know, because I had to get them to sleep the night before! The conversation hopped around the table like a box of wild frogs, it took many weird and wonderful turns until arriving at one that resonated with us all, our little arms. One of the girls told her experience with a troublesome health nurse who refers to her arm as “stump”, she shared her dislike of the word to the table, who, unanimously agreed. Then I posed the question, “what do you call yours?” she showed me her “fairy fingers”, I felt my heart swell. Before I knew it, we had little arms that turned into dinosaurs, and jelly fish, and ones that had smiley faces. A love extended from me and enveloped us all in one invisible embrace. I laughed in awe and at ease while another girl showed me how she fidgets with her little fingers, giggling, she twisted and pulled them 360°. I was struck most by the joyful acceptance of their unique limbs. It made me so happy, and that’s the moment I realised, this is it. This is the RAW energy I came for.

For me, being part of Reach is like eating fruit and vegetables, it’s like exercise and getting 8 hours sleep – it’s part of my wellness. And at times I might even overlook how important it is for me, like it’s a nice to have but I don’t need it. Then I show up at RAW to have my heart cracked open and remember, this is my tonic. In the space between RAW 26’ and 27’ our lives unfold, and sometimes they might even unravel, that’s okay. Because, despite the many changes that happen within us and around us, one thing that never changes is our connection at Reach, we get it. Reach is family and in coming home we find ourselves.

Chris

“Four activities per day, plus our self- generated evening activities and more importantly the general face to face socialising, over meals (absolutely no phones allowed!) and down time, quite a lot to choose from. Young people from Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England with a true sense of belonging. There were, of course, a few with understandable homesick blues – first time away from home for anyone can be a challenge – but they soon turned into the very best of times. New mentors too, we all learn things from our young members, it can be draining on the energy levels, but still rewarding to be involved.

Lots of ‘first time’ fears over some activities took great courage and encouragement to just try…try another way…and success! My concern over a young person being very reserved and not joining in on the giant paddleboard, were unfounded, as I half turned my head away, a great shove from behind and I was overboard, the young person now laughing out loud, was also the first one to help me back on board.

Belief, learning, confidence, trust, friendship and teamwork were all on show, especially when Claire said, “This is a team game, it is JUST a game, not competitive…!” Ha! The planning in whispers, “So long as we beat team 3! No! It’s team five we’ve got to beat, the little (or big!) cheats and short cut giggles from every team!” Yes, it was very competitive, we were all winners, though team 1 were the best winners, with less cheating (possibly). Poetry and performing should get a mention too!

To see a block on trying something, even with the best instruction and safety measures, that has gone from year to year, finally be overcome is certainly memorable, along with other older ones naturally acting as mentors within the group, a general ‘feel good’ factor is there. The Carlton Lodge in Yorkshire did us proud again this year, the instructors and centre staff look forward to the Reach booking. Everyone is happy to be there! Down in the southwest next year, who is planning to go?”

Esther

Each year, you think RAW can’t possibly top the last and somehow it always does! The friendships, the kindness, the family feel and all those little moments are what make each year so special.

We said hello to new faces and said goodbye to some of the children we’ve watched grow through RAW over the years! Each year they build confidence and independence and are now ready to take their next steps into adulthood. It’s a bittersweet part of RAW, but also a wonderful reminder of the journey they have been on!

From the first nervous introductions to the laughter, challenges, adventures and countless moments of connection, RAW is so much more than just a week away. It’s a place where children can simply be themselves, surrounded by others who understand. Life-long friendships are formed and memories are made that last long after the week is over. That is why being a mentor is so important to me. I am so grateful to Reach for giving me some of my closest friendships, the most incredible memories and a sense of belonging that has stayed with me!

Tony

What a blast! This year’s RAW with 35 of our incredible young humans definitely didn’t disappoint. It was full of laughs, pranks, quirks, silliness… All the things that make us who we are. That doesn’t mean that there wasn’t vulnerability and some tears at times. But that’s what makes us who we are, right?

It’s so important to feel safe to embrace all our emotions and, to me, that’s a large part of what RAW is all about. Not being afraid to be exactly who you are, warts and all. We did everything from kayaking, rock climbing and axe throwing, to caving, bouldering, and gorge walking. It was such a fantastic experience – it always is.

These kids have so much to give to the world, and as mentors it’s our job to show them the way at times. One of my particular highlights were all the excellent pranks that were played throughout the week on one mentor in particular. (I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to Tom for putting itchy bombs under his pillow, on his towel, in his shoes… I should know better! 😊)

My overall highlight was remaining as the ultimate fighting champion of Stand-Up Paddle Boarding, even it cost me a few days in hospital afterwards with cellulitis from horsefly bites! (It was well worth it, but I wouldn’t recommend it!)”

Read the full Summer Within Reach Magazine here.

…Despite the many changes that happen within us and around us [during a year] , one thing that never changes is our connection at Reach, we get it. Reach is family and in coming home we find ourselves.