As we look back on 2025, we’re struck by just how much warmth, energy and generosity has flowed through Embrace this year. From musical workshops and wellbeing sessions to extraordinary fundraising efforts, this has been a year shaped by people coming together: families, volunteers, partners, supporters and friends. Here are some of the moments that made 2025 really special for us.
Skool’s Out
Our Skool’s Our programmes, held in the holidays, have delivered even more top-quality fun, laughs and adventures for everyone who’s joined us in 2025. In the summer holidays we had everything from sensory workshops and yoga to mocktail mixing, forest school, and rocket building! And in our October half term, we made monster cookies, experimented with exploding cauldrons and potion sensory bottles, enjoyed a Halloween Scavenger Hunt, and had fun with our Halloween photobooth!
One of the standout highlights was our “Skool’s Out – Rockstar Day” in partnership with Rocksteady Music School. Held on 28 May, this brilliant event gave our children and young people the chance to explore instruments, form mini-bands and perform with confidence. Rocksteady’s team gave their time and expertise entirely for free, and we cannot thank them enough for the creativity, encouragement and kindness they brought.
Our Outstanding Partners
As well as our rockstar partnership with Rocksteady Music School, this year we’ve had the privilege of working with other incredible individuals and organisations who donated their time, passion and skills without charge to create fabulous events and experiences for our children and their families:
Inclusive Performing Arts (Bedfordshire), who’ve provided drama, movement and performance opportunities that celebrate individuality and creativity and also arranged the Inclusive Performing Arts Festival this year (23rd July) as part of Beds Fringe.
Alison Webb – Wilderness Therapeutic Practitioner, who brought us tailor-made nature-based therapeutic sessions.
Invigorating Yoga with Mo, who has delivered uplifting yoga sessions designed specifically for our community.
Your generosity ensures we have offered richer, more varied experiences to our children, their families and caregivers. You have made an enormous difference, and we want to express our deepest gratitude.
Embracing Life Your Way Campaign
In the summer, we launched our inspiring #EmbracingLifeYourWay campaign, celebrating the uniqueness and joy of family life in all its forms. Everything we do at Embrace is about possibilities, not limits, and this campaign gave us the chance to showcase how all families, including those living with disabilities, are thriving in their own brilliant ways.
It highlighted that there’s no single “right” way to live life; what matters is doing it your way. Families shared stories, photos and videos, giving the world a glimpse into real life, full of love, resilience and joy. We loved seeing all the posts come through, celebrating families, raising awareness of our work, and showing that with support, connection and encouragement, every family can embrace life to the fullest.
Incredible Fundraising
This year has seen some extraordinary fundraising efforts. From charity golf days full of community spirit to heroic half marathons, personal challenges, bake sales, sponsored events and team efforts, and even a comedy night in London’s Leicester Square - 2025 has shown just how far people are willing to go to support Embrace. Here are some of the highlights…
Laughter in Leicester Square – Our Comedy Night
One of the most memorable moments of 2025 was in May at our brilliant Embrace Comedy Night, brought together by Avalon on behalf of the charity, which brought laughter, talent and incredible generosity together under one roof.
Held at the iconic Leicester Square Theatre, the evening brought together an exceptional lineup of comedians, all of whom gave their time and talent completely free of charge to support our work.
The stage was lit up by the incredible Rob Delaney and Ahir Shah, alongside rising stars Sikisa, Bella Hull, and Ireland’s finest hip-hop musical comedian Rob Broderick (Abandoman). The wonderful Carl Donnelly hosted the night. Not only was it a fantastic night of entertainment, but it also raised over £1660 - all thanks to the generosity of these phenomenal performers.
Bedford Running Festival
On Sunday 7th September, our incredible team of runners took on the Half Marathon and collectively raised nearly £3,800. Thanks to the generous match funding of £1,000 from the Davies Foundation, the final total reached an amazing £4,800!
A huge well done to Christine, Ewa, Lee, Lucy, Sarah, Martha, Gracie, Jack, David, Hannah and Issy - you were all fantastic. You ran with smiles on your faces before, during and even after the race, and we couldn’t be prouder.
This brilliant effort is made even more meaningful as we’ll be an official charity partner of Bedford Running Festival in 2026, and we’re so excited for everything 2026 will bring as more runners, supporters and families get involved!for everything 2026 will bring as more runners, supporters and families get involved!
Thank You to All Our 2025 Fundraisers
Whether you:
• organised an event
• ran, walked, or cycled any distance
• baked, walked, lifted or litter-picked
• raised money at work
• or simply donated
…your contribution and kindness has meant so very much to us. We are endlessly grateful.
Every penny raised helps us deliver clubs, wellbeing activities, family support, creative opportunities and respite for disabled children and young people. Your kindness literally changes lives.
Our Growing Team
Another wonderful milestone for us this year has been welcoming two new faces to the Embrace team. We were delighted to bring in Hannah Summers, our new Health and Care Needs Co-ordinator, and Karen Russell, our Family Support Services Co-ordinator. Both have quickly become invaluable members of our Embrace family.
We’re incredibly grateful to have them on board, and excited for the difference they’ll continue to make in the year ahead – they’ve both brought so much fresh energy, new ideas and creativity already! We are so grateful they’ve chosen to share their skills and passion with us, and we can’t wait to see how their contributions help shape our future.
Our Volunteers
And, of course, a huge thank you to every volunteer who has helped at events, supported activities, collected materials, ran stalls, organised fundraisers, or simply showed up with kindness and a willingness to help. You are the beating heart of Embrace.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we close out 2025, we carry forward so many moments of joy, connection and achievement. Next year, we plan to expand our creative sessions, develop more wellbeing opportunities, build new partnerships and continue shaping a community where every family feels supported, welcomed and celebrated.
Plus we’ve got an incredibly special night planned on Saturday 24 October, with our glittering Prism of Colour Ball to look forward to! If you are a business and would be interested in sponsoring this wonderful event, please do find out more here, or get in touch with us: fundraising@embrace.org.uk
Thank you for being part of our story. Thank you for giving your time, your creativity, your energy, your generosity and your hearts. Together, we’re creating a world where everyone is truly On Sunday 7th September, our incredible team of runners took on the Half Marathon and collectively raised nearly £3,800. Thanks to the generous match funding of £1,000 from the Davies Foundation, the final total reached an amazing £4,800!
A huge well done to Christine, Ewa, Lee, Lucy, Sarah, Martha, Gracie, Jack, David, Hannah and Issy - you were all fantastic. You ran with smiles on your faces before, during and even after the race, and we couldn’t be prouder.
This brilliant effort is made even more meaningful as we’ll be an official charity partner of Bedford Running Festival in 2026, and we’re so excited embraced.
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