On a beautiful summer’s day, the 21st of August, the Rainbow Centre packed up its buckets, spades, and picnic hampers for our much-loved annual trip to the seaside. This year, we took 34 local residents, mostly children, for a fantastic day of classic beach fun at Walton-on-the-Naze.

For many, a day by the sea is a summer staple, and thanks to the incredible support of our funders, we were able to provide this joyful experience for our community. The sound of laughter and waves provided the perfect soundtrack to a day filled with unforgettable memories.

The beach quickly became our playground. The classic sandcastle competition sparked creativity and teamwork, with some truly impressive architectural designs emerging from the sand! Meanwhile, energetic games of beach football and flag American football got everyone moving and laughing under the sun. Of course, no seaside trip is complete without a delicious, homemade picnic enjoyed together on the blankets, refuelling our explorers for more adventures.

This trip, and our wider summer holiday programme, would not have been possible without the generous funding from the Henry Smith Foundation and The Mayor’s Fund for London. Their support covered vital costs for travel and staff, allowing us to provide this free day out for our families.

A very special thank you must also go to our incredible team of Junior Leaders and Coaches. Their energy, enthusiasm, and dedication were the engine of the entire day and our summer activities. They organised games, encouraged everyone to get involved, and ensured every single person had a brilliant time.

A huge round of applause for:
Shak, Deshawn, Ellis, Kevin, Georgia, Valerie, Maddie, Eloise, Alfie, and Chichi!

You are all fantastic role models, and the Rainbow Centre is so proud of the positive impact you have on your community. Thank you for helping us make this summer so special