We are supporting people in Cornwall with learning disabilities, mental health issues and other support needs. This page has details of Job Fairs and Try Before You Apply events in Cornwall. You’ll also find Beyond Limits News and Stories from Cornwall.
Link to the Beyond Limits Southwest contact page
Follow this link to view Southwest Service leader profiles.
We are supporting people in Devon with learning disabilities, mental health issues and other support needs. This page has details of Job Fairs and Try Before You Apply events in Devon. You’ll also find Beyond Limits News and Stories from Devon.
Link to the Beyond Limits Southwest contact page
Follow this link to view Southwest Service leader profiles.
We are supporting people in Dorset with learning disabilities, mental health issues and other support needs. This page has details of Job Fairs and Try Before You Apply events in Dorset. You’ll also find Beyond Limits News and Stories from Dorset.
Link to the Beyond Limits Southwest contact page
Follow this link to view Southwest Service leader profiles.
We are supporting people in Somerset with learning disabilities, mental health issues and other support needs. This page has details of our current vacancies in Somerset.
Link to the Beyond Limits Southwest contact page
Follow this link to view Southwest Service leader profiles.
Beyond Limits has joined C-Change, NDTi, Positive Support for You and the Local Government Association to help develop and promote the Small Supports programme. The programme is generously supported by NHS England.
Visit the Small Supports page on the NDTi website
We are working with local areas to help them create the best environment for small supports to emerge and flourish and with existing and emerging small supports organisations to develop and share great ways of working. The partners are not seeking to establish or grow their own support activity.
Below is some background information about Small Supports
Small Supports organisations have a lot in common. Small Supports organisations share nine key characteristics.
Small Supports activity is about thinking and working with people with learning disabilities and/or autism who have ‘hefty reputations’ (to borrow a phrase to describe people who are burdened by the reputations they have been given because of behaviours, reactions, support requirements and large funding packages).
There are a couple of networks associated with our Small Supports programme: one for providers and another for commissioners.
We are excited to announce we will soon be supporting people with learning disabilities, mental health issues and other support needs in Somerset. Our first services are in the Williton, Minehead, Bridgewater and Taunton areas.
If you are looking for an exciting challenge and want to make a real difference to the lives of people in Somerset please take a look at our page Why work for Beyond Limits and visit our Vacancies section where we will be advertising for Somerset staff.
Beyond Limits also supports people in both Devon and Cornwall.
Radio Plymouth have created a new jingle for us, you can listen to it below, let us know what you think…
As part of our celebration of the great work our staff do, the people we support and their friends and families we have produced a printed newspaper.
There are stories from our support workers, trainers and people connected to Beyond Limits plus information about new staff benefits. Our aim is to produce two or three editions a year so we have started collecting stories for the next edition already! If you would like to share a story or recommend somewhere to visit we’d love to hear from you.
On page 5 we have a Wordsearch, if you’d like the answers please click here.
Below is a link to a PDF of the whole newspaper. If you’d like a printed copy please contact the Beyond Limits office.
Today we launched our new App to help make referring your friends to us easier.
Care Friends is a new scheme which will help you share jobs on social media, WhatsApp and via simple text messages and you will earn points as you do.
Currently you only secure the award once the person you have recommended is employed by us, under this new scheme you will earn points at various stages, including points for just sharing the job.
You will be able to turn points into cash when you’ve reached the set amount. When you cash points in they will be added to your salary. So, if you love your work and love your friends, bring the two together with the CareFriends App and start referring, the more you refer, the more you earn.
We are supporting people in Plymouth with learning disabilities, mental health issues and other support needs. This page has details of Job Fairs and Try Before You Apply events in Plymouth. You’ll also find Beyond Limits News and Stories from Plymouth.
Link to the Beyond Limits Southwest contact page
Follow this link to view Southwest Service leader profiles.
Beyond Limits are committed to acting in an ethical and socially responsible manner and we are committed to actively contributing towards the eradication of modern slavery and human trafficking.
Our safer recruitment procedures and people management processes are designed to ensure that all prospective employees are legally entitled to work in the UK. This helps to safeguard employees from any abuse or coercion.
For more information:
Visit The National Crime Agency pages on modern slavery and human trafficking.
Listen File on 4 investigates modern slavery in the UK workplace produced by Radio 4 (37 mins).
If you suspect modern slavery, report it to the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or the police on 101. Don’t leave it to someone else. Your information could save a life.
We take your privacy seriously. We do not collect and store any information about you when you browse pages on our website. Visits to our website are ‘anonymous’, which means we cannot tell who anyone is when they visit.
If you choose to contact us using the form on our website or by email. We require you to supply your name, email address and phone number if you want us to contact you by phone. This information is stored securely in accordance with GDPR legislation.
Beyond Limits aim to consistently promote a culture of openness and transparency that enables staff to SPEAK UP when they witness or suspect an individual is experiencing harm or is at risk of experiencing harm. All staff need to be aware that they can – and must – speak up if they have genuine concerns about the people we support.
Beyond Limits has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, unlawful discrimination and restraint. This includes:
Beyond Limits are committed to safeguarding individuals in our care. This means we consistently aim to provide high quality care and support that will protect the people we support from harm and promote their welfare. Safeguarding is paramount and we strongly encourage all colleagues to raise any concerns about the quality and effectiveness of the care provided to speak up. We promote a psychologically safe environment where colleagues can speak up if they suspect wrongdoing or have any concerns about the quality of care provided.
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.
The legal responsibility for safeguarding rests with Rebecca Chadwick as Managing Director, therefore Rebecca is the Nominated Safeguarding Lead (NSL) for Beyond Limits. You can contact her on 07834 520579 or via email at [email protected]
Although Rebecca is the Nominated Safeguarding Lead, day-to-day 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. You can contact her on 07779 241386 or via email at [email protected].
If calling out of hours, please call 01752 546449 and make a report to the manager on-call.
If staff are in any way concerned about raising a safeguarding issue using any of the above options, they can raise a concern in confidence with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). You can email them at [email protected] or call on 03000 616161.
For the benefit of absolute clarity, all staff have a duty of care to the people we support and must SPEAK UP if there are any concerns about potential or actual abuse or harm towards an individual in our care.
We are delighted to announce that we have recently become new sponsors of Liskeard Athletic Football Club.
Beyond Limits is supporting people in the area and one is keen on football. We will all be looking forward to catching some action at Lux park in the coming season.
For South West Peninsula Div One West results and more about the club visit the Liskeard Athletic Football Club website.
For ground details visit footballgroundmap.com
Connecting, Reflecting, and Growing Together
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
The legal responsibility for safeguarding rests with Rebecca Chadwick as Managing Director, therefore Rebecca is the Nominated Safeguarding Lead (NSL) for Beyond Limits.
Although Rebecca 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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