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TICfest Events
Our residential weekend events for families aim to bring people in the TS community together for fun and fellowship.
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).
Adults (over 18) pay £65 per head and children (under 18) receive a free place. We want our events to be accessible to all, so if financial constraints are preventing you from applying, please reach out to us.
If we are oversubscribed, please see Terms and Conditions below for our allocation process.
Please note we are unable to accept dogs at TICfest.
TICfest 2025
Venues
PLEASE NOTE: Expressions of Interest will remain open from 31 January - 14 February 2025
TICfest Edale - Peak District
9-11 May 2025
A grand old country house, YHA Edale Activity Centre is one of the highest residences in the Peak District and has a view to match. With the Great Ridge between Lose Hill and Mam Tor to the south and the Dark Peak moorland of the Kinder plateau to the north, YHA Edale Activity Centre is surrounded by stunning scenery.
***REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE***
TICfest Avon Tyrell - Dorset
4-6 July 2025
A leading outdoor learning venue dedicated to the continuous development of young people offering unique heritage and a beautiful site, featuring a range of accommodation options, including a Grade I listed calendar house, lodges, and camping areas.
***REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE***
TICfest Whitemoor Lakes - Staffs
1-3 August 2025
A stunning purpose built activity, training and conference centre, overlooking a beautiful 40 acre lake. Offering 30+ fun and adrenaline-fuelled indoor & outdoor activities.
***REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE***
TICfest Thorpe Woodlands - Norfolk
5-7 September 2025
Thorpe Woodlands adventure centre is a modern, purpose built outdoor centre that offers a wide range of challenging, fun and adventurous activities and excellent accommodation facilities. There is indoor accommodation for up to 51 people, camping for up to 60, and escape pods for 42 people, 8 High Ropes activities, climbing tower, caves, mountain bike trails, 2 orienteering courses, archery range, kayaks, canoes, zip wires and much more.
***REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE***
Expressions of Interest will remain open from 31 January - 14 February 2025
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 in 2023:
TICfest Terms and Conditions
- Families are limited to attend one TICfest, per year, as the demand for these events outstrips supply and we try to make sure that as many families as possible can benefit from attending each year
- For a family to warrant a place at one of our TICfest events, a child of the family must have or be awaiting a formal diagnosis of TS
- Definition of family group: Maximum of two adults (over 18) and siblings of your child with TS. All children (TS child and siblings) must be under 18. Children with TS must have a diagnosis or be in the process of awaiting a formal diagnosis and this must be evidenced by uploading a clinician’s letter/clinic letter on the booking form
- Adults (over 18) pay £65 per head, children (under 18) receive a free place. Once you receive confirmation of your place at the TICfest event you will be asked to make your payment by the deadline given. If you fail to make your payment you agree to forfeit your place, and it will be given to another family
- For transparency places will be allocated to a TICfest in this order and our word is final:
- Members from the previous year’s waiting list
- First-time participants at a ‘Fest with a TS diagnosis
- Members with a TS diagnosis who have attended a ‘Fest previously
- First-time participants at a ‘Fest waiting for their formal diagnosis
- Once the places are allocated, all first-time participants at a ‘Fest’, with a confirmed diagnosis of TS, who were unsuccessful in gaining a place, will be added to a waiting list. People on this waiting list will then get places first at next year's event following the allocation rules above
- If you are unable to attend the TICfest you must give Tourettes Action as much notice as possible so that they are able to offer the place to another family. We will endeavour to provide a full refund to you if we are able to fill the cancelled booking. If the place is cancelled less than 2 weeks before the event, a replacement family will not be sought and a refund cannot be offered
- There are strictly no pets allowed at any Tourettes Action event or activity with the exception of Guide Dogs and assistance dogs. If you are bringing a Guide Dog or assistance dog you must make this clear on the booking form and validity will be sought
- All meals are included for all family members throughout the weekend. If any member of your family has specific dietary requirements you must complete the relevant section of the booking form so that the venue can accommodate your needs. If for what ever reason the venue cannot accommodate your requirements, you will be notified in advance of attending, to enable you to make alternative eating arrangements
- The event will be nut-free, with all snacks and meals prepared without nuts or nut products. We also ask for guests not to bring nuts or nut products to the venue
- All activities are included throughout the weekend. Our objective is to make sure that there are a range of activities provided to meet the expectations of all children attending. Some activities may be more challenging or extreme than others, it will be your responsibility to select activities that are appropriate to your family
- Accommodation is included throughout the weekend. Each family will be given their own private room. Please note that your room may not have en-suite facilities and you will have to share a bathroom with other families. It is highly unlikely that changes to accommodation will be made once they have been allocated
- You agree to listen and to do as instructed by members of Tourettes Action staff and staff who work for the venue that the TICfest is being held at. This is for your safety and the safety of your family
- At TICfest parents are responsible for their children at all times, Tourettes Action staff are there to ensure the safe running of the event but do not take direct responsibility for children. Parents must be aware of their children’s whereabouts at all times
- Upon hearing a fire alarm you will follow instructions given to you by venue staff or Tourettes Acton staff. If they are not present during an alarm you will make your way to the fire assembly point (details of which are provided upon arrival)
- Tourettes Action and the venue has fully risk assessed the weekend and made sure that appropriate controls are in place for your safety and the safety of your family
- If car parking is available at the venue, neither the venue or Tourettes Action accept any responsibility for any loss or damage to your vehicle
- All personal belongings are the responsibility of those that bring them to the event. Neither the venue or Tourettes Action can be held responsible for any loss or damage to personal items
- Some venues allow that alcohol can be brought and consumed at appropriate times e.g. evening socialising, by those guests that are 18 years or older only. You will be informed in your welcome email whether the venue permits alcohol or not. In the event that the venue allows alcohol, we ask you to please drink responsibly
- Drugs are not permitted at the venue
- Smoking and vaping are not permitted at the venue
For more information, please contact our Events Manager Emma Myers at emma@tourettes-action.org.uk
