Surrey Freemasons Support Legacy Youth Zone with Generous Grant for Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Croydon, UK – On Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, around 400 children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in and around Croydon will receive much-needed help and support, thanks to a generous grant from Surrey Freemasons to the Legacy Youth Zone charity. The grant, totaling £41,000, will support the ongoing provision of the charity’s Beyond Limits Session, which is specifically designed for those with additional needs.
The Beyond Limits Session at the Legacy Youth Zone offers young people the same opportunities as their peers, including access to rock climbing, music production, performing arts, and more. Approximately 50-70 young people attend each week, taking part in fun, social, and educational activities that promote social connections, self-confidence, and practical skills. The Youth Workers at the session provide holistic support tailored to each individual’s needs, while families can also benefit from additional support provided by the Inclusion Coordinator, including well-being support, assistance with navigating diagnoses, and securing carers or respite time.
The activities at Beyond Limits Session include basketball, roller-skating, woodwork, gardening, cooking, and karaoke, with specialist sensory equipment, accessible toilets, lift, and sports wheelchairs available. The climbing wall and boxing gym are offered monthly, and a nutritious hot meal is served at each session for just £1. Special activities, such as competitions, showcases, awards, and day trips, enhance engagement, while those aged 14 and above can join Legacy’s volunteering and leadership program, ‘Young Leaders’.
Legacy Youth Zone, located in Croydon, is part of the OnSide network of youth charities across the UK. The charity works with young people aged 8-19 and up to 25 with additional needs, providing a safe and supportive environment for them to thrive. This grant from Surrey Freemasons comes at a crucial time, as youth providers in Croydon and across the UK struggle to maintain their services due to funding cuts.
In addition to the Beyond Limits Sessions on Sundays, the youth workers at Legacy Youth Zone work tirelessly to provide extra support to those with additional needs, helping them integrate into Junior and Senior universal sessions. The Beyond Limits Session is an amazing way to help these young people access opportunities that they may not have access to elsewhere.
Legacy Youth Zone regularly partners with other organizations, such as Stanley Arts, where young people have the opportunity to create and showcase art projects. For example, Rees, a non-verbal member of Legacy Youth Zone, competed in the Stanley Arts Go Kart Festival in the summer of 2023.
The positive impact of the Beyond Limits Session is evident, with 88 percent of children and young people reporting boosted social skills, 86 percent feeling more resilient, 89 percent experiencing increased or stabilized confidence, and 88 percent reporting better or sustained happiness and well-being. Additionally, 63 percent of beneficiaries are within the three out of 10 most deprived areas, compared to 34 percent of children and young people in the borough, and 46 percent are eligible for Free School Meals, compared to 29 percent in the borough.
This generous grant from Surrey Freemasons was made possible through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, funded by Freemasons, their families, and friends from across England and Wales. Nick Burger, Head of Surrey Freemasons, expressed his pleasure in being able to support the Legacy Youth Zone and their important project, stating, “Unfortunately, funding cuts are affecting these kinds of services all over the country, so it’s vital that these services in Croydon will still be available.”
Syreeta, Pastoral and SEND Lead from the Legacy Youth Zone, Croydon, expressed her gratitude for the grant, saying, “We’re very grateful to Surrey Freemasons for their generous grant, which will allow us to reach hundreds of children and young people who will get the chance to both have fun, make friends, and develop self-confidence and practical skills.”
Press release distributed by Pressat on behalf of Legacy Youth Zone, on Tuesday 9 September, 2025. For more information on Legacy Youth Zone, visit www.legacyyouthzone.org.
