Challengers

Challengers Challengers is a charity dedicated to transforming the lives of disabled children, young people and their families through the power of play ✨

Challengers is a registered children's charity, established in 1979, dedicated to providing exciting and challenging play and leisure opportunities for disabled children and young people. We do this through our play and youth centres in Guilford and Farnham and through our range of community based projects across Surrey and, increasingly, the surrounding areas. A significant benefit of our service

is that it provides families with short-breaks during high pressure times e.g. at the weekend or during the school holidays, enabling them to do ‘ordinary’ activities such as shopping or spending time with their other children. Families have told us that this lifeline of support keeps them strong.

Did you know 94% of families have experienced a negative reaction to their disabled or seriously ill child whilst on a f...
29/05/2026

Did you know 94% of families have experienced a negative reaction to their disabled or seriously ill child whilst on a family outing? (Activity Alliance, 2024)​

For many disabled children and young people, opportunities to make friends, feel included and simply have fun can be limited. Families often tell us they feel isolated too - avoiding days out or community activities because they fear judgement, stares or exclusion.​

But at Challengers, parents tell us they see a huge difference.​

They see their children smiling with confidence, building friendships, trying new activities and feeling accepted for exactly who they are. They tell us Challengers gives their child somewhere they truly belong - and gives them, as parents and carers, vital respite and support.​

Every statistic represents a real child, a real family and a real need for inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive.​ Together, we can change the story from isolation to belonging.​

If you would like to learn more about what we do and how you can make a difference, head to: https://disability-challengers.org/give-me-a-break/

Have you got your Orange Aid tickets yet? 🍊Our much-loved family festival is back for 2026, bringing a day packed with l...
28/05/2026

Have you got your Orange Aid tickets yet? 🍊

Our much-loved family festival is back for 2026, bringing a day packed with live music, family fun, and community spirit, all while supporting disabled children and young people.

We recently sent out an email with the booking link - don't delay, get your tickets today.🧡

28/05/2026

“I love our ethos… everything we are to do with inclusivity.” – Luke, Service Manager at Challengers 🧡

At Challengers, inclusion isn’t just a word, it’s our guiding principle. We proudly operate a non-exclusion policy, meaning no child is ever turned away, no matter how complex their needs.

Every disabled child and young person deserves a place where they feel supported, valued, and free to play and belong.

Thank you, Luke for your passion and dedication! Will you help us continue offering this essential support?

👉 Donate today — just £5 a month can make a huge difference. You can donate here: https://disability-challengers.org/donate/

🧡

27/05/2026

“Challengers just feels right… and when I go, I just feel lighter." – Maddie, mum to Evelyn ​

For Evelyn, our Hub Stay & Play sessions are a place where she can play, socialise and be fully herself in a safe, inclusive environment. For Maddie, it’s so much more.​

In the middle of the chaos of parenting a disabled child, Challengers gives mums like Maddie the chance to breathe, reset, and feel just that little bit lighter.​

This is the heart of what we do— creating space for children to thrive and giving their parents the support they deserve.​

Donate today and set up a regular gift — just £5 a month can make a world of difference.​

Donate at: https://disability-challengers.org/donate/

A wonderful Saturday morning at our Community Open Day in Guildford.Thank you to everyone who joined us, including our l...
27/05/2026

A wonderful Saturday morning at our Community Open Day in Guildford.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, including our local supporters and councillors.
It was a fabulous opportunity for us to celebrate the impact made by our amazing supporters, for everyone to meet the team and network across our community, while discovering more ways to get involved.

Over the course of a couple of hours, CEO Gen Dearman, Chair of the Board of Trustees Russell Harvey and Parent Ambassador Natasha Morris, shared the importance of volunteering and community support - expressing a huge thanks to our group of incredible supporters.

Like drops of water in a mighty river, each individual action may seem small on their own, but together your time, effort and energy create a powerful force that carries hope, support, and change to those who need it most.

Events like this remind us why we do what we do — building a more inclusive future where every child belongs and every family gets the support they need. Thank you for being a part of Team Orange and enriching our community.

What a great start to May half term with some science madness fun in Richmond this long bank holiday weekend.🧡With it be...
26/05/2026

What a great start to May half term with some science madness fun in Richmond this long bank holiday weekend.🧡

With it being so warm, out came the face paints and bubbles, which were a hit all around.

Watching our children and young people laughing, playing, making friends and simply being themselves in a safe, inclusive space is magical. Their smiles truly speak a thousand words.

Every donation, every volunteer hour, and every act of support helps us create more of this magic for even more children and families.

To learn more and support us, go to: https://disability-challengers.org/give-me-a-break

26/05/2026

Joe is one of our Challengers Play and Youth Leaders.​

Joe shares the reality behind the scenes. Although we receive some local authority funding, as a small charity every pound raised goes directly towards the sessions our families rely on so heavily.​

​Any way you can support us would be great. ​

​From setting up a regular monthly gift, to fundraising at one of our events, or even creating your own fundraiser — every single action creates real impact for our children and families.​

Find out how you can help us give more families a break by going to: https://disability-challengers.org/give-me-a-break/

25/05/2026

What does the half-term ​break mean to you? ​

​Perhaps it's a holiday away somewhere sunny or your children attending holiday camps.​

​Meet Elise, Ramsey's mum. For her, there is no break at half-term. ​

"It sounds awful but we call it half term hell because everything is closed down. The kids want to do things but everything is closed down for them."​

Donate this half term to enable Challengers to continue to support disabled children, young people and their families.​

You can learn more about our work and donate here: https://disability-challengers.org/give-me-a-break/

24/05/2026

Happy Brother's Day! 🧡

In honour of this special day, meet Charlie. Sam's older brother. ​

Like so many siblings of disabled children, Charlie values the moments he gets to spend with his parents and friends - comfortable in the knowledge that his brother is having the best time, happy and safe at Challengers ✨​

Challengers’ ‘Give Me a Break’ campaign highlights an urgent need for disabled children, their siblings, and parent carers to have regular opportunities to rest and reset.​

Donate now at: https://disability-challengers.org/donate/

For Sam, it could mean time doing an activity he loves. For Charlie, it could mean a precious moment with his mum.​

23/05/2026

“Challengers just means the world to us as a family… it is a godsend.” – Alix, mum to Sam & Charlie ​

​For Sam, Challengers is the place where he can truly be himself- playing, making friends, and enjoying weekends and holidays in a safe, inclusive space. For Alix and their family, it’s breathing space they rarely get and provides time to focus on Charlie, Sam's older brother.​

This is what Give Me a Break is all about: giving disabled children and young people across the South East the joy of belonging, while giving their exhausted parents the respite they need.​

Every parent deserves a break. Every child deserves to belong.​

Will you help more families like Alix’s?​

Donate today — even £5 a month, equivalent to the price of a cup of coffee, makes a huge difference. To find out more and donate head to: https://disability-challengers.org/give-me-a-break/

22/05/2026

Remembering when Stoke Park was a sea of orange as we were the official charity for this year's Guildford Inflatable 5k. ​

​We are so grateful to all the amazing Team Orange members who took on this challenge and made it a fantastic day of fun and fundraising for Challengers.​

​The funds raised will go directly towards inclusive play sessions for disabled children and young people, providing vital respite for their parents and carers.​

Events like this are just one of the many ways to support us. ​Whether you show your support through volunteering, regular giving, or corporate partnerships, every action makes a big impact.​

​Want to join Team Orange and help in your own way? ​

Find out more at: https://disability-challengers.org/support-us/

Address

London Road
Guildford
GU11TU

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