Bugs Life 2025

A Wild Day at Beyond Limits

Each year at Beyond Limits, we host Bugs Life, a one-of-a-kind event that brings together our staff and the people we support for a day of hands-on fun, learning, and unforgettable animal encounters. In 2025, we took things up a notch with even more creatures, more laughter, and plenty of surprises along the way.

Held right here in our office, the event brought together staff and the people we support for a full day of animal encounters, laughter, learning, and hands-on fun. With creatures crawling, flying, and slithering their way through the day, it’s safe to say this wasn’t your average day in the office.

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A Day Full of Animal Encounters

This year’s Bugs Life was once again hosted in partnership with Bugs Life Kids Parties and Events, who brought in a wide variety of exotic animals for everyone to meet. From tiny insects to large reptiles, there was something fascinating at every turn.

The animals weren’t just for looking at, we were encouraged to get involved! People had tarantulas on their faces, and chickens on their heads. There was even a snake that slithered through Rich’s ear hoop!

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What We Learned

We all enjoyed getting hands-on with the wildlife, but we learned a lot about them too. The team from Bugs Life explained things in a simple, fun way that everyone could enjoy. Here are some of the creatures we spent time with, and a few fun facts about them.

🐍 Corn Snake
Corn snakes are gentle, non-venomous snakes. They come in beautiful colours and patterns and are known for being easy to handle. They’re great climbers and often curl around people’s arms or shoulders when held.

🕷 Tarantula
Tarantulas may look scary, but they’re actually very calm. They’re covered in tiny hairs that help them feel the world around them. Some of us even had them crawling on our faces, how’s that for going Beyond Limits!

🐸 African Bullfrog
These frogs are enormous compared to your average frog and have a deep croak to match! They can puff up when they feel threatened and are surprisingly strong. Despite their size, they were very fast to catch prey. We all got the chance to see this first-hand in a live feeding demonstration.

🐔 Chicken
Chickens aren’t just farm animals, they’re full of personality. We learned that they can recognise faces, form friendships, and even learn simple tricks. Ours were calm and curious and even took a rest on a couple of heads!

🦗 Praying Mantis
These clever insects are expert hunters. They can turn their heads from side to side (unusual for bugs!) and strike at super speeds with their strong front legs. They look delicate but are very good at surviving in the wild and blending in with their surroundings.

🦔 Hedgehog
Hedgehogs are shy and quiet, covered in spines for protection. We learned that they curl up into a ball when they’re scared, and their little snuffling noses help them find insects and worms to eat.

🦀 Hermit Crab
Hermit crabs don’t grow their own shells, they find empty ones and move in! As they grow, they need to find new, bigger shells to live in. Watching them move was like seeing a tiny house on legs!

🦎 Bearded Dragon
These reptiles love warmth and can often be seen basking under a heat lamp. They have spiky-looking “beards” under their chins that puff out when they’re excited or nervous. They were very friendly and loved being stroked.

🦎 Crested Gecko
Crested geckos have sticky feet that help them climb and jump between surfaces. Their eyelashes make them look like tiny cartoon characters, and they feel soft and bumpy to the touch. They’re also very quick!

🦂 Emperor Scorpion
This scorpion looks fierce but is surprisingly gentle. It uses its pincers to grab and hold things, but its sting is mild, like a bee sting. We were able to hold it and watch how it moved slowly and carefully across our hands.

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Why Bugs Life Matters

Events like this are more than just fun days out, they’re part of what makes Beyond Limits special. They bring people together, encourage curiosity, and create moments of joy and wonder. For the people we support, it’s a chance to experience new things in a safe, familiar environment. For staff, it’s an opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the community we’ve built.

 

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Behind the Scenes

Of course, an event like this doesn’t happen by itself. A huge thanks goes to Martin, one of our very own team members, who takes the lead on organising Bugs Life year after year. Martin not only helps run the day, but also brings in some of his own animals to share. His passion, knowledge, and dedication are what truly bring the event to life.

Thanks to all of the team at Beyond Limits who helped put this together, and to everyone who attended, you all made the day a very special one.

And to Bugs Life Kids Parties and Events, we owe a massive thank you for sharing your animals and your expertise with us once again. You helped make Bugs Life 2025 a truly unforgettable experience.

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Until Next Year…

As the animals packed up and the office returned to normal (well, almost), we were left with memories, smiles, and a few new facts to share. Bugs Life 2025 reminded us all of the joy of discovery, connection, and how amazing it is to step outside the ordinary and into something wild.

We’re already looking forward to Bugs Life 2026. Until then, thank you to everyone who joined in!

Beyond Limits: The Thinking Org

Leadership, growth, and doing things differently

At Beyond Limits, we’ve never been afraid to do things differently. Whether it’s how we support people, build our teams, or shape our leaders. Real, honest, reflective thinking is at the heart of everything we do.

That message came through loud and clear at this year’s staff retreat. Two of our senior leaders, Georgia and Julie, shared deeply personal and thoughtful stories about their journeys at Beyond Limits. These stories captured the essence of what we mean when we talk about being a thinking organisation.

These weren’t polished speeches about climbing the ladder or ticking off promotions. They were about self-reflection, learning to challenge old habits, and growing into leadership through patience, struggle, and support. In short, they were stories about becoming better versions of ourselves and helping others to do the same.

 

More than just answers

One of the themes both Georgia and Julie touched on was how we support and train each other as teams. In traditional settings, training often looks like someone standing at the front, handing out instructions, and expecting immediate results. But at Beyond Limits, we try to do something else. We take time, ask questions, encourage reflection, and give space for people to learn and figure things out for themselves.

It’s not always easy, and it’s not always fast. But it works.

As Georgia put it in her story:

“It was often tough, and it requires you to always look internally… to consider if there is anything you can do differently. It felt alien to me and I wasn’t convinced it would work. Then bit by bit, it started making sense.”

It’s the difference between giving someone the answer and helping them learn how to find the answer for themselves. Between managing people and growing leaders.

This thinking-led approach is something we’re proud of. It’s thoughtful. It’s intelligent. It asks more of us, but it gives so much more in return, not just in our teams but in the lives of the people we support.

 

From self-reflection to self-leadership

Georgia’s journey is a powerful example of how transformative this kind of culture can be, and her reflections at the retreat struck a real chord with many of us. When she joined Beyond Limits in 2015, fresh out of university, she had the right values and the right passion. But by her own admission, she struggled with control, micromanaging, and black-and-white thinking. Over time, and with a lot of encouragement from Doreen and others, she began to change the way she thought about leadership.

Instead of doing everything herself, she started creating space for others to grow. She stopped reacting from ego and started responding with awareness. She moved from managing tasks to enabling people. And through it all, she saw how her development wasn’t just helping her, it was benefiting everyone around her.

“Eventually, one day I looked back and realised how much I had changed. I was now a leader rather than a manager.”

Julie offered another lens on what this kind of growth can look like. She spoke about joining Beyond Limits from outside the organisation and coming into a culture that felt very different. It was a culture with open communication, people-first thinking, and an emphasis on personal leadership. It was new and at first unfamiliar, but she described how welcomed and supported she felt from the beginning. That support allowed her to grow into the thoughtful, person-centred leader she is today. And now, in turn, she’s able to offer that same encouragement to others.

It’s a full-circle kind of leadership: open, intentional, and rooted in the belief that people can grow into their best selves when given the space to do so.

This is exactly what we mean when we talk about cultivating a thinking culture. It’s not a programme. It’s not a buzzword. It’s a mindset, one that takes time to build and is shaped by trust, curiosity, and long-term commitment.

 

A culture that shapes people

Beyond Limits has always believed in the potential of people. Not just the people we support, but each other as colleagues too. That belief doesn’t just show up in our job descriptions or mission statements. It shows up in how we treat each other, how we train our teams, and how we make space for people to grow, even when it’s messy, slow, or unconventional.

That’s what makes us a thinking organisation.

Not because we have all the answers, but because we’re willing to keep asking better questions.

Not because our way is always easy, but because it leads somewhere better.

And not because everyone comes in as a perfect leader, but because we create the right conditions for people to become one.

 

The journey continues

The stories shared at the retreat reminded us that this kind of thinking-led growth is ongoing. There’s always more to learn, more to reflect on, and more people coming up behind us who need the same time, space, and challenge that others gave to us.

As Georgia said beautifully in closing:

“Initially, the opportunity was a gift to me, but it has benefited many others in the end, the people we support, and the people I work alongside. The journey is not over, we will all forever have room to grow and develop further. I now embrace this, and I’m very excited for the rest of my journey. ”

That’s the ripple effect of a thinking organisation.

It starts with one person.

Then it changes everything.

A New Chapter: Leadership, Legacy, and Looking Forward

As many of you will know, this year’s staff retreat marked an important milestone in the Beyond Limits story, the start of a leadership transition that’s both heartfelt and full of promise.

After years of passionate leadership, Doreen Kelly, our founding Managing Director, has stepped into a new role as Non-Executive Director, with plans to retire in April 2026. Her influence and commitment to creating a different kind of organisation have left a lasting legacy. Doreen’s impact can be felt in every part of Beyond Limits, in the way we support people, the way we work together, and the values we hold ourselves to. At this year’s retreat, we took a moment to celebrate all that she’s done, with warm words, applause, and a few tears.

Stepping into the role of Managing Director is Rebecca Chadwick, who many of you will already know. Rebecca has been with Beyond Limits for over 11 years, starting as a team leader and growing into her leadership through deep personal reflection, lived experience, and learning. As she shared during the retreat, her journey began with a strong foundation of supportive colleagues, which has evolved over time via self-discovery and a commitment to growth.

In her words, “I started as a team leader many moons ago, where I earned my stripes and was taught the most by the lovely Kayleigh, which is where I began my own journey of self-discovery. It was here I learnt I needed to delve deeper than I ever had before.”

One book that had a big impact on Rebecca’s thinking was Time to Think by Nancy Kline. That discovery opened the door to working with Karen Mason, and to shaping a new kind of leadership culture, one rooted in reflection, voice, and personal strength.

Rebecca is now guiding Beyond Limits towards solidifying itself as a thinking organisation, one where everyone, from leadership to frontline staff to the people we support, can find their voice and lead from their best self.

Tools like PRINT reports have helped us start building a shared language around how we respond to challenges, how our ego can shape behaviour, and how we grow through self-awareness. It’s not about perfection. It’s about being able to respond with intention rather than emotion. This direction of travel is about all of us, not just those in formal leadership roles.

As Rebecca said, “We want to spend more time talking to each other, deciding what we need to focus on as a larger team of people upholding the values of Beyond Limits.”

By starting with ourselves, we strengthen the foundation for everything else, especially the relationships we build with the people we support.

The retreat marked the beginning of this next chapter. It’s not just a handover, it’s a continuation of everything Beyond Limits has stood for, with space for new thinking, shared leadership, and personal growth.

So here’s to Doreen, who built the platform.
Here’s to Rebecca, who’s ready to lead us forward.
And here’s to all of us, because we’re in this together.

Beyond Limits Staff Retreat 2025

Connecting, Reflecting, and Growing Together

A Serene Setting at Elfordleigh Hotel, Plymouth

This year’s retreat took place at the tranquil Elfordleigh Hotel, nestled within 120 acres of peaceful parkland just outside Plympton, on the edge of Dartmoor. The setting provided the perfect backdrop for a day of reflection, collaboration, and leadership development. We welcomed office staff, senior leaders, and team leaders from across the organisation, including colleagues who travelled from Scotland.

Guided by Karen: A Mindful Start

The day was led by Karen Mason, who guided us through a thoughtful and energising programme. We began with calming breathwork, grounding ourselves, and shifting into a more mindful headspace. Karen introduced us to the concept of brainwaves, helping us explore how different mental states affect our working lives, especially when it comes to communication, stress, and leadership.

This set the tone for a day of meaningful connection and self-discovery.

 

Hands-On Learning: Conversation, Creativity, Collaboration

Most of the day unfolded in Elfordleigh’s welcoming main room, where we gathered around tables and got stuck into a wide range of activities.

Together, we explored:

• What good leadership looks like
• What makes a healthy organisation
• How we each contribute to shaping our workplace culture

We shared ideas through open conversation, wrote and drew on colourful cards and posters, and took part in paired listening tasks and group discussions. The format encouraged everyone to speak, reflect, and listen in equal measure, building trust and shared understanding.

 

 

Stepping Outside for a Fresh Perspective

Taking full advantage of the beautiful surroundings, we also spent time outdoors. During paired walks, we reflected on how nature can inspire a more grounded and balanced approach to leadership and a healthy organization.

Later, we took part in a playful but thought-provoking activity, lining up based on different leadership styles. It was a visual way to recognise the diversity of strengths in the room and how they work together.

 

Stories That Inspire: Georgia and Julie

One of the most powerful parts of the day was hearing from Georgia and Julie, who each shared deeply personal reflections on their time at Beyond Limits.

Their stories of growth, learning, and resilience captured the heart of what it means to work here — not just as professionals, but as people. Their journeys reminded us how far we’ve come as an organisation, and how important it is to create space for growth and individuality in every role.

Read the full blog

 

 

Leadership in Transition: Doreen and Rebecca

Another highlight was the chance to hear from Doreen and Rebecca, who spoke warmly about their journey together in leadership.

With Doreen stepping down from her role as Head of the Organisation and moving into a Non-Executive Director position, and Rebecca stepping into the role, they shared some truly heartfelt words about connection, mentorship, and their shared vision for the future of Beyond Limits.

It was a touching and inspiring moment that reminded us of the strength and leadership at the heart of our organisation.

Read More About Our Leadership Transition

 

 

Cultivating Our Culture

By bringing together people from different levels and locations within Beyond Limits, the retreat created space for shared insight and real connection. From the quiet moments of reflection to the group laughter and creativity, the day embodied the values that shape how we lead and support others.

Karen’s guidance, the stunning setting, and the openness of everyone in the room made this a day we’ll carry with us into our work moving forward.

Moving Forward Together

A huge thank you to everyone who took part with such openness, thoughtfulness, and energy. The ideas and conversations sparked at Elfordleigh won’t end there. They’ll shape how we grow and lead together in the months and years ahead.

 

Here’s to everything that’s next, to the people along the way, and to going beyond the limits of conventional support!

A new report from NDTi: A Deep Dive into the Small Supports experience in Plymouth

The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) has published a report, A Deep Dive into the Small Supports experience in Plymouth, looking at how Beyond Limits works as a Small Support provider. We were delighted to work on this project with NDTi and to showcase the magic that can happen when you support people in a truly bespoke way.

Small Supports are defined by NDTi on their website: https://www.ndti.org.uk/projects/what-are-small-supports.

There is growing evidence to show Small Supports offer a high quality, local alternative to large, often out of area providers. This is an approach that Beyond Limits have always advocated for and we also support other organisations looking to adopt this approach to deliver better outcomes for people.
Download the report here.

The report looked at nine people supported by Beyond Limits who agreed to share information about their lives and care focusing on:

• Wellbeing
• The cost of care and support to the individual
• Changes in their lives, health and behaviours and their effect on resources in other services and organisations.

Information for the report was collected through interviews with the people involved, their families and the supporting staff.

The report Contents are as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Approach
3. Pen portraits
4. Analysis
5. Table 1 Summary of Costs and Benefits
6. Conclusions.

The Appendix includes methods used to collect information, seven case studies and links to useful resources.

Beyond Limits Statement of Commitment to Safeguarding

Beyond Limits is committed to safeguarding the people we support from harm and abuse. We have a robust safeguarding framework with well-defined polices and procedures which outline our commitment to protecting the people who use our services. They cover various aspects, including reporting mechanisms, risk assessment and preventative measures and are available on request.

Our commitment to safeguarding extends to all staff members and we provide all our staff with training to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to recognise signs of harm and abuse.

In keeping with our person centred approach, our safeguarding efforts align with people’s unique needs, preferences and communication styles. Our person-centred approach ensures that protective measures are respectful and empowering.

Beyond Limits will not tolerate any form of inappropriate behaviour or conduct towards any of the people we support. This is a shared commitment and one that applies to all staff, regardless of position or status.

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Nominated Safeguarding Lead

The legal responsibility for safeguarding rests with Rebecca Chadwick as Managing Director, therefore Rebecca is the Nominated Safeguarding Lead (NSL) for Beyond Limits.

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Designated Safeguarding Lead

Although Doreen is the Nominated Safeguarding Lead, day-to-day lead responsibility for safeguarding rests with Kathleen Griffiths as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Kathleen is responsible for ensuring that the practice of Beyond Limits is safe and effective.

Beyond Limits Commitment to Net Zero & Developing Environmental Awareness

 

At Beyond Limits, we recognise our responsibility to minimise the environmental impact of our service delivery. We are fully committed to addressing the climate emergency and acknowledge the importance of reducing and mitigating any detrimental effects our operational activities may have on the environment.

To support this commitment, we have developed a Net Zero Action Plan, which outlines the steps we are taking to achieve net zero emissions by 2038—or sooner, where possible. We believe that our strategic and operational decisions can and should support environmental sustainability.

We have appointed an Environmental Champion who leads the promotion of the Net Zero agenda within our organisation. This individual is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the implementation of our climate emergency policy and action plan. Progress against the plan is monitored regularly and reported through our governance structures.

Beyond Limits is committed to actively promoting environmental awareness and sustainability. We recognise that the successful implementation of our environmental goals relies on integrating sustainable practices into our daily activities and encouraging active participation from our staff and the people we support. Together, we can play our part in safeguarding the future of our planet.

To further support this mission, we have created an Environmental Policy full of practical ideas to help everyone within our organisation protect the environment and build greater environmental awareness.

We believe that we can all make a difference and a good start is by following the five R’s below…

• REDUCE the materials we use and waste we produce
• RE–USE and RECYCLE materials wherever possible
• RESTORE what is deemed to have been destroyed
• RESPECT our neighbours and our environment.

Our policy has helpful information on energy, paper, plastic, transport, re-use and re-cycling.

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You can download the full policy here.

 

Gloriously Ordinary Lives

Gloriously Ordinary Lives: Challenging us to see support through a different lens and – using the four tests – consider what would it take for everyone to have Gloriously Ordinary Lives.

The Four Tests for creating Gloriously Ordinary Lives, are not a checklist or a process. The tests are simply a lens through which to view any support we consider for a person or their family.

If you apply the Gloriously Ordinary Lives lens to the support you get or offer – what does it show? What does it tell you? How far from Gloriously Ordinary is it and what would it take to get there?

Gloriously Ordinary Lives launched earlier in October, but it is far from being a new concept for founder, Tricia Nicoll. Tricia has been using the idea of something being ‘gloriously ordinary’ for over 10 years when supporting her two, now adult, kids. Telling people repeatedly that she wanted things for her kids to be ordinary – ‘gloriously ordinary’, she found that this resonated with others too.

Now, Gloriously Ordinary Lives is really coming to life! Tricia is launching a training programme as an introduction to Gloriously Ordinary Lives. Initially, the training will be offered to organisations who offer direct support to people and who are in a strong position to enable people getting Gloriously Ordinary Lives. The training will be offered to people who draw on support or who support someone directly – from families to local councils, and beyond.

After the training, people will:

• Understand the concept of Gloriously Ordinary Lives
• Be able to give examples of how the Four Tests work
• Have some clear plans for how to move towards more Gloriously Ordinary Lives

Rich on the high seas

Not only has Rich proved his success in the world of wheelchair rugby but now he is trying his hand at Kayaking.

Plymouth is known as Britain’s Ocean City due to its seafaring heritage and fabulous coastline and so where better to take to the water with his team.

Of course having his own sailing expert as part of his team is helpful and Michelle kept Rich and the rest of the team safe. After the safety demonstration, a three hour trip around the coast followed and Rich really enjoyed it, safe to say he is already making plans and looking forward to the next sail.

Thanks go to the Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre  Homepage – Mount Batten Centre (mount-batten-centre.com)

Watch a short video of Rich in action.

Chantelle’s busy summer volunteering

Chantelle has been keeping busy over the summer, she continues to enjoy her volunteering job at the Lounge in Torquay and is a real asset to the team. She had her planning day recently which was a chance to look back on last year’s achievements and decide new goals for the coming year.

As usual all the people who are important to Chantelle were in attendance and everyone was really positive and pleased with the positive changes in Chantelle. The standout though was how well Chantelle is doing in her job and we are really proud to share this update which was written by Hayley who is in charge of the Lounge.

Grab a tissue and have a read…

“Today, I am honoured to be here and share the remarkable story of an individual whose dedication and compassion have truly made a difference in the lives of many. I am here to celebrate the incredible contributions of Chantelle, an extraordinary volunteer whose impact has been nothing short of inspiring. Chantelle is more than just a volunteer; she is a beacon of kindness and support. Her commitment to our cause, her unwavering dedication, and her genuine empathy have touched the hearts of our clients, peers and colleagues. For those battling anxiety, Chantelle has created a safe environment, as we all know finding a safe space is invaluable, and Chantelle has been a key factor in fostering that safe haven for many.

But Chantelle’s remarkable journey doesn’t stop there. She has been the driving force behind our well-being afternoons and evenings, a program that has not only enriched our team but has also created a sense of family among us. Through her ideas, she has brought joy, relaxation, and healing (and a little bit of stress) to our team. These well-being sessions have become a source of bonding which have forged friendships in order for us all to manage the challenges of life. Chantelle has transformed our organisation, infusing it with a profound sense of purpose and unity. Chantelle’s impact is immeasurable, and we want to acknowledge that we simply couldn’t run our community hub without her. Her actions remind us that it’s not just about serving coffee or snacks; it’s about creating a nurturing environment where every individual feels valued and supported.

As we celebrate Chantelle today, let us also reflect on the incredible power of volunteerism. One person’s dedication can spark a ripple effect that touches countless lives. Chantelle’s journey reminds us that small acts of kindness, when done with love and sincerity, can create a world of difference.

Chantelle, you are an amazing volunteer, a true catalyst for positive change, and an embodiment of the spirit of giving. On behalf of our clients, our team, and the entire community, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You have enriched our lives and brought light to our cafe. Your legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of those you have touched.

Thank you, Chantelle, for being the heartbeat of our community hub, and for showing us all the beauty that can be created through bravery, compassion and selflessness.”