On 6 March, we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Baytree Centre with a special Impact Night. The evening was an opportunity to reflect on the incredible impact Baytree has had over the past 35 years, supporting women and girls in our community, while also celebrating everything achieved in 2025.
Together with supporters, staff and volunteers, we looked back on a year of growth, learning and connection, and shared the stories that continue to shape the future of Baytree.
During the event, guests heard from our CEO, Caroline, who reflected on Baytree’s journey and the community that has sustained it for 35 years. Speaking about her return after retiring in 2024, Caroline shared how special the organisation remains to her, describing it as “a genuine pleasure to celebrate 35 years.”
She reflected on the resilience that has shaped the charity since its founding, noting that the road has never been easy, but the commitment of staff, volunteers and supporters has always carried the organisation forward.
Despite the growing challenges facing the charity sector, she emphasised that Baytree’s mission remains unchanged. “Our vision remains constant: to transform aspirations into realities for women and girls from inner-city families.” She also reminded the audience that the impact of Baytree is ultimately about people. “Behind every number, there is a story — a story of courage, determination and possibility.”
She closed by thanking the community that has supported Baytree over the years, affirming that as long as the need exists, so will Baytree.
Another powerful moment of the evening came when Salome, a participant in our Into School Programme (now known as Arrive & Thrive), took to the stage to share her story. Through her words, guests gained a glimpse into her journey of arriving in the UK as a 17-year-old asylum seeker, and how Baytree’s support helped her rebuild her confidence and find new opportunities.
She described how uncertain and overwhelming it felt to start again in a new country: “I was scared of this new world and didn’t quite know how I was supposed to begin again.”
She explained how Baytree quickly became a vital source of support, helping her navigate practical challenges such as enrolling in college, while also providing a sense of belonging. One small but powerful act — a staff member accompanying her to enrolment and making sure she knew where to go — showed her that Baytree was much more than she had expected.
“This showed me that I wasn’t alone and that there was someone who genuinely cared about me.”
Through Baytree’s programmes, Salome found opportunities to volunteer, develop new skills and build her confidence. She later supported other young women through the Arrive & Thrive programme and volunteered at The Platform Café, which eventually led to a job at the café, where she gained valuable experience aligned with her career goals.
Now 20 years old, Salome reflected on how far she has come, thanking Baytree for the role it has played in her journey: “Thank you, Baytree, for changing my life.”
The event was also a valuable opportunity to connect with funders, donors and partners, who were able to learn more about Baytree’s work and hear first-hand about the impact of their support. It was a chance for the wider Baytree community to come together and celebrate.
As we look ahead, the stories shared remind us why Baytree exists and why our work continues to be so important. They are a powerful testament to the difference a dedicated community can make. We leave the evening feeling inspired, grateful and more committed than ever to our mission. To everyone who has walked through our doors, given their time, shared their skills or supported our work — thank you.
Together, we are shaping futures and changing lives, and we look forward to continuing this journey for many years to come.
Written by: Ellie Pearce
