On Saturday 26th July, we hosted our second family activity day – this time in the stunning surroundings of Avon Tyrrell in the New Forest. And let me tell you, the weather gods were smiling on us – not too hot, and not too cold. Which meant perfect conditions for all the outdoor fun we had lined up.
Our base for the day was a big marquee perched on the edge of the activity field. Our base was a big marquee on the edge of the activity field – a relaxed space where parents and carers could take a breather, catch up over a cuppa, or join in our topic-based discussion groups about some of the common challenges we face.
The day began with a gentle meet-and-greet. Some families were new to us, others familiar faces from past events. Everyone received a goodie bag – complete with a cosy SMS-branded hoodie and some useful leaflets. As always with SMS events, the atmosphere in the marquee was buzzing – a mix of excitement and a few nerves. We know this is all part of the day, so our schedule allowed plenty of time to help everyone settle. Jane and her SOS team were on hand right from the start, meeting our SMS individuals and giving reassurance before the activities began.
At 11am, after a quick briefing, our SMS individuals and their siblings set off in four groups. We had four groups in total: two for individuals with SMS (split by age) and two for siblings (also split by age). The activities were tailored to suit each group’s abilities, and Avon Tyrrell was the perfect venue thanks to its fantastic accessibility. We knew we’d have at least one participant with limited mobility who uses a wheelchair, and it was crucial to us that everyone could join in the fun.
One of the absolute highlights of my day was watching the footage of Jude, a wheelchair user with limited motor skills, take part in archery using an adapted bow and arrows. The look on his face when he hit the target? Pure joy. I may have shed a tear (or two).
Meanwhile, the older SMS group were out on the lake pedalling away on pedalos, with Jane and the SOS team providing support throughout. No one was pressured to take part – we had plenty of carers on hand to ensure that if anyone needed a break, they could simply enjoy the beautiful surroundings with a gentle walk.
While the kids and adults were off adventuring, parents and carers had the chance to relax, connect with other families, or join our topic-based discussion groups. We were lucky to have Dr Ashley Liew (psychiatrist and co-chair of our professional advisory board) with us to help facilitate the first session: “Behaviours and Medical Challenges.” It was a safe space for parents to share their experiences, and the conversation quickly turned to food. Specifically, ketchup – a hot topic in many SMS households! Ashley was brilliant, offering expert advice while keeping the tone supportive and light-hearted.
After a well-earned lunch in the main house, the groups were off again for round two. As any SMS parent will know, all that excitement can sometimes catch up with you – and true to form, a number of our SMS individuals decided it was the perfect time for a nap. Some dozed happily at the lunch table, others took a quick snooze in the middle of an activity, and one or two even nodded off mid-discussion! It’s just part of the unique rhythm of our days together, and no one bats an eyelid – we simply carry on, letting people rest when they need to and rejoin the fun in their own time.
This time the activities included low ropes, shelter building, zip wire, and more archery. Meanwhile, our second discussion group focused on Education and transitions. SEND professional George Fox joined us to talk about everything from early years support to transitions between schools and into further education. The conversation was honest and supportive, with families sharing both successes and the challenges they’d faced.
Both discussion sessions were also attended by two members of the Project Springboard team from Cambridge University. They were able to hear firsthand about the realities of life for SMS families, and we hope this will help shape the next phase of their research.
After a short break (and maybe a sneaky biscuit or two), it was time for the final activities of the day: canoeing, zip wire, archery (yes, again!), and raft building. Parents and carers who were interested joined us for the SMS Foundation UK AGM, where we shared our financial report and a summary of the year’s activities.
By 5pm, the event wrapped up – and you could tell just how much fun everyone had by the smiles (and the soaked clothes!). The raft-building group, in particular, looked like they’d taken a swim rather than built a boat. Clearly, some raft-building skills need a bit of fine-tuning!
I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who made the day so special: our trustees (Hazel, Laurie, Alvar, Jayne, Bill, and Andrew), Dr Ashley Liew, George Fox, and our sibling group chaperones Becks and Will – who also captured some amazing photos and videos. You were all incredible, and I’m so proud of the teamwork and spirit that made this day unforgettable.
(Webinar) Seeing Differently: Understanding Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)