When we kicked off our Big Give Campaign this year, we aimed to raise enough funds to provide a memorable summer for 100 girls. Thanks to your incredible generosity and the £15,000 raised, we exceeded our goal, reaching 140 girls with a diverse and exciting range of summer activities! From hands-on creative workshops to cultural excursions, our programme was designed to empower, inspire, and support these young women, giving them the opportunity to build skills, explore new experiences, and form lasting friendships.
Without your support, none of this would have been possible. Every donation made during the Big Give Campaign directly contributed to the success of this summer programme. Whether it was sponsoring a trip to a museum, funding an outdoor adventure, or helping us provide lunches and resources, each contribution played a part in making this summer one to remember.
Here’s a look at the key categories of activities that shaped their summer experience.
Cultural Experiences and Entertainment
Our girls explored culture through theatre, art, and hands-on learning:
- Hamilton at the Theatre: A true highlight of the summer! The girls attended the FIRST EVER Hamilton Community Youth Performance. For many, it was their first time in a theatre, and the songs, costumes, and special effects left them in awe. The post-show Q&A with the cast gave them a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of theatre production. One girl shared, “It was amazing, I’ve never seen anything like it before!”
- Van Gogh House Tour: A trip to the house where Vincent van Gogh once lived inspired the girls to learn more about his life and work, while connecting art to real-world history.
- Despicable Me 4 Screening at Universal Studios: Our Year 1-5 girls had the unique opportunity to see a special screening of Despicable Me 4 and learn about the filmmaking process. Their excitement was palpable as they shared, “We got to see how movies are made—it’s so cool!”
Family and Connection
Building strong family bonds was a key focus during our summer programme.
- Mother and Daughter Picnic: Our Year 1-6 girls and their mums enjoyed a heartwarming picnic filled with laughter and games. This event fostered closer connections and promoted well-being for both mothers and daughters, helping them create joyful memories in a supportive environment.
- Sparklers Slumber Party: This fun-filled evening of snacks, games, and bonding was a special treat for girls transitioning from Year 6 into Sparklers. It provided a wonderful opportunity for the girls to get to know each other better and feel more comfortable as they move into the next phase of their education.
Nature and Outdoor Adventures
Connecting with nature was a highlight, with trips to farms and parks:
- Horniman Museum Visit: From learning about global cultures to exploring the Butterfly House, this visit was an educational adventure that fascinated the girls.
- Vauxhall City Farm Visit: Our younger girls loved spending time with the animals at the farm. They even got to help with some light farming tasks—experiences that left them with wide-eyed excitement as they got to pet the animals and learn more about farm life.
- Bore Place Hike: Older girls ventured into the woods to learn survival skills, including how to start a campfire and make s’mores. One girl reflected, “I’ve never been camping before, but now I know how to start a fire!”
- Gardening at Loughborough Farm: This hands-on activity had the girls harvesting vegetables and learning more about sustainability and gardening. “I want to grow my own plants at home now,” said one excited participant.
Creative Arts and Teamwork
Creativity flourished this summer as the girls explored different art forms:
- Baking Competition: The kitchen was filled with smiles and sweet treats as the girls worked together to create their own baked masterpieces. “It was really fun and I learned how to bake for the first time!” one girl said proudly.
- Slime-Making Workshop: A “squishy success”! The girls had a blast experimenting with colours and textures. Despite some small hiccups, they had a fantastic time letting their creativity flow. The excitement was contagious as one girl beamed, “It was messy, but so much fun!”
- San Mei Gallery Visit: A special partnership with the gallery gave the girls the chance to unlock their creativity through art. The visit included an expressive dance workshop, where they learned how art can go beyond traditional mediums to inspire and empower.
- Block & Riso Printing Workshop: The girls were thrilled to get hands-on with this unique printing process, creating their very own designs to take home.
Career Insights and Skill Building
In line with our mission to empower girls with skills for the future, we organised several career insight days and skill-building workshops.
- Astrid & Miyu Career Insight Day: A two-day bootcamp with trendy jewellery brand Astrid & Miyu gave our girls an inside look at the fashion world, from creating social media content to designing jewellery collections. It was an inspiring experience for those interested in fashion and creativity.
- Kings College Career Insight Day: Our Year 10 girls spent the day at Kings College Hospital, exploring STEM careers and interacting with professionals in science, engineering, and healthcare. This day provided valuable insights into potential career paths for our girls interested in the sciences.
- ClearView Career Insight Day: A workshop focused on problem-solving in healthcare, giving the girls real-world challenges to tackle. They worked alongside professionals, gaining valuable insights into the healthcare sector.
Physical Wellbeing and Fun
Physical activity and movement were key to promoting a healthy lifestyle:
- Games Day at Hyde Park: A fun-filled day of outdoor games, team challenges, and laughter. The girls competed in relay races and tug-of-war, building teamwork and having a great time. “It was such a fun day! I loved the games,” said one participant.
- Football at Ferndale Sports Centre: Weekly football sessions with Fulham FC coaches gave the girls a chance to improve their skills and learn the importance of teamwork. The sessions were a huge hit, with many girls asking for more!
- Self-Defence Workshop: The “Fight Like a Girl” workshop was empowering and practical, teaching the girls essential self-defence skills while building their confidence.
This summer, we truly showcased our ability to provide a wide range of activities that catered to the interests and needs of all the girls. Whether it was learning, creating, or simply having fun, we made sure to offer something for everyone.
“We responded to the needs that families are demanding by ensuring we filled all available spaces and offered a wide variety of activities for both primary and secondary girls.” – Tallulah, Youth Support Worker.
We are extremely proud of how we maximised our budget, and we’re thankful for the youth volunteers who stepped up to help. Their engagement was a wonderful example of the community spirit we foster here at Baytree, and it was inspiring to see girls from our Into School programme volunteering during their summer break.
One mum shared, “Spending time together at the picnic made us feel so much closer,” while the girls raved about Hamilton, saying, “It was amazing!” The combination of fun, learning, and connection has left a lasting impact, with many girls feeling more inspired and confident.
As we head into the autumn term, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated and volunteered this summer. Your generosity made all of this possible, and we are incredibly grateful for your continued support.
Join us in empowering more girls by supporting our programmes today. Together, we can make every season as memorable as this one!
