TICfest Events

Our residential weekend events for families aim to bring people in the TS community together for fun and fellowship.

TICfest 2024

What is TICfest?

TICfest provides a safe, non-judgemental environment where parents and children can relax, have fun and make friends. We keep the children busy, with new challenges and games, giving parents the opportunity to share their TS stories with others.

All the venues have been chosen for their open spaces, range of activities and friendly staff. The accommodation is warm and practical but very basic - it is NOT hotel standard! Although each family will have their own room (at most venues), the bathroom facilities are generally shared. The catering is good quality and plentiful but don’t expect Michelin stars!

Please note, a family group must comprise a maximum of two adults (over 18) and 3 children, comprising the child/children with TS (18 and under) plus any immediate siblings (18 and under).

If we are oversubscribed, please see Terms and Conditions below for our allocation process.

Please note we are unable to accept dogs at TICfest. 

 

Venues

TICfest Kilve Court, 24-26 May 2024

Kilve, Somerset 

Situated in 40 acres at the foot of the Quantock Hills and just a short walk to the beach, Kilve Court is a Georgian Mansion that has been adapted and extended to provide accommodation with shared facilities. A newly constructed lake provides the opportunity for watersports including sailing and canoeing. The Millenium Maze is there to explore plus mountain boarding and many more activities. Bristol and Exeter are both appx 1 hour 20 minutes away, located 30 minutes off the M5. 

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2024

 

TICfest Mount Cook, 2-4 August 2024

Matlock, Derbyshire

We return to this fantastic venue for a third year. Built in 2016, Mount Cook boasts en suite rooms throughout. Situated in 9 acres of land with the rooftop rider zip wire, land karts and much more including a licensed bar for adults. Manchester is just 1 hour 45 minutes away and Birmingham is 1 hour 20 away. (Please note, activities are strictly only suitable for those over 6 years of age).

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2024

 

TICfest for All - Wales, 23-25 August 2024

Wolf's Castle, Haverfordwest

Sealyham Active Learning Centre is a dedicated coastal centre – but offers a whole range of outdoor activities both off, on and in the water. Situated conveniently for visits to numerous beaches and other coastal areas, the centre has recently undergone a complete refurbishment and upgrade to offer warm, comfortable accommodation and dining facilities to provide the perfect setting for a fun- filled, action-packed residential experience.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2024

 

TICfest Thorpe Woodlands, 6-8 September 2024

Thetford, Norfolk

We return once again to this lovely venue in the Thetford Forest. Thorpe offers accommodation with shared facilities in the main lodge plus individual Escape Pods. This is a smaller ‘fest' but just as much fun with canoeing and raft building on the river with amazing venue staff and activity leaders. Located just 1 hour from Cambridge.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2024

 

TICfest Hadrian's Wall, 20-22 September 2024

Bardon Mill, Northumberland

A new venue for 2024, and ideally located in the beautiful countryside, this high-spec hostel is perfect for exploring the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage site, located just a few hundred metres away. You’ll also be close to the Roman Army Museum, the awe-inspiring Roman fort at Vindolanda and, of course, the adjoining discovery centre with its innovative exhibitions and spectacular viewing platforms. Keilder Forest, Carlisle, Newcastle and even places as far away as Holy Island and Alnwick are within driving distance too. Most rooms have en-suite facilities.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2024

 

 

What can I expect at a TICfest event?

We understand that some children, and their care givers, may feel nervous about attending their first TICfest event - for many families it is the first time meeting other people with TS. Our supportive team are there to welcome you when you arrive.

                   

 

TICfest will begin at appx 5pm on the Friday evening. All meals are included as are all the activities for the children.

Friday night is about settling in, having dinner together, and a fun activity.

Saturday is full on with a variety of instructor led activities for the children, keeping them busy throughout the day; followed by evening entertainment. There will also be the opportunity for a parent discussion group.

Sunday is time for breakfast, reflections on the weekend and exchanging contact details.

For further insight into our events, read this wonderful Blog from a family who attended a TICfest last year:

TICfest - What a Weekend!

          

Terms and Conditions

Families are limited to one TICfest per year as we want as many people as possible to enjoy a TICfest experience.

Definition of family group: Maximum of two adults (over 18) and 3 children (must be siblings of your TS child). Siblings/TS Child must be under 18.

All children with TS must have a diagnosis or waiting for a diagnosis.

Adults (over 18) pay £50 per head, children (18 and under) go FREE. 

Please contact us if you have concerns regarding payment as we want to make these events as inclusive as possible.

All meals and activities are included in the cost.

We understand that young people attending our events may wish to keep in contact through social media. We encourage continued friendship and support networks, and advise that both young people and parents read our Top Tips for maintaining safety and wellbeing on social media (right hand side).

Participant selection process and order of priority for allocation:

• As there are significant numbers of people that want to attend ‘Fest’ events, this demand outstrips supply. As a result of this, and to make sure new people can experience the ‘Fest’ events, the Event Manager will oversee a  selection process, and will subsequently select participants for each ‘Fest’ event based on the order of priority (below). The objective is to try and have an event with 80% of first-time participants and 20% of returning        participants.

• Once names are received from the online booking process the Event Manager, as they go through the selection process, must check names against the charity’s ‘blacklist’ of those who have been banned from attending TA events.
• Proof of TS diagnosis/awaiting diagnosis will be requested as part of the booking process and will involve the person booking uploading an image in .png or .jpeg format of the diagnosis letter or other correspondence that confirms diagnosis or clinic/service that they are awaiting a diagnosis from.
• First time participants at a given ‘Fest’ with TS diagnosis that are on the ‘Fest’ waiting list from a prior year.
• First time participants at a given ‘Fest’ with TS diagnosis.
• Second time participants at a given ‘Fest’ with TS diagnosis.
• People waiting for their formal diagnosis.
• They will be asked on booking form to share the clinic/service that they are awaiting the formal diagnosis from.
• Ballot to allocate remaining places at random.This ballot will utilise an online name selector that can select names at random from a list uploaded to the software. This provides a quick and fair way of selecting the remaining participants and removes human involvement from the process.

For example, someone who has attended a TICFest before, but has not attended a TEENFest would be considered a first-time attendee for their first TEENFest.

An example online name selector - https://commentpicker.com/random-name-picker.php