We are so excited to be packing our bags and getting ready for our 9th annual CaverFamilies Residential this weekend!
Our annual three-day residential retreat is a unique opportunity for families affected by cavernoma to connect, share experiences and spend some good fun, quality time with people who truly understand each other.
OVER THE YEARS
We can’t believe it’s been 9 years of CaverFamilies residentials! CAUK has been bringing families affected by cavernoma together every year (with the exception of 2020 due to COVID-19) since our first residential trip to Butlins, Skegness, in 2013.
This treasured tradition would not exist if it wasn’t for the support and influence of the late Frank Gent, who established the very first CAUK residential weekend. Frank paved the way for CaverFamilies and laid the foundations for the development of a wider support service for children and families affected by cavernoma – he was a wonderful, selfless friend to CAUK. We’re proud to have continued to honour Frank’s legacy and over time have expanded the support we offer our families. In the last year alone we’ve made particular progress in relation to education, young peoples’ access to work and family therapy.
- Education
We’ve expanded out schools support package to include further resources that will help strengthen relationships and understand in our children’s’ schools. We can now offer 1:1 training online for teachers and we are updating our care packs with important information on epilepsy/seizure handling and care instructions. Our aim is to have more digital resources readily available to help our young people - Young Peoples’ Access to Work
We established a work experience programme for our young people entering the world of work. The ‘CAUK Pilot Internship Scheme’ is an opportunity for young people with cavernoma to gain prodicutive work experience in an environment where theyw ill feel supported and understood. We appointed our first ever intern – Iona – in May. - Therapy
Our therapy programme continues to grow and 25 families have had access to therapy over the past year.
WHAT’S INVOLVED
Our residential weekends are always packed full of fun activities for all the family – but we also make sure to offer a variety of extra useful and relevant information and support throughout. Whether that’s some much needed time alone for parents to let their hair down or daily informative sessions on cavernoma, we make sure that the experience is as beneficial as possible. Our two esteemed CAUK therapists are also on hand all weekend for chats, extra support or counselling for anyone who needs it.
WHERE WE’RE GOING
This year will be our second at Mount Cook Adventure Centre in Derbyshire. This amazing venue offers a wide-range of activities for all the family and all ages and abilities, and plenty space for the kids to run around and explore safely. This year we’re excited to get involved in bushcraft, play archery tag and muster up the courage to try out the zip wires and high ropes. For those looking for some more mindful activities we’ll be offering yoga sessions, arts & crafts time and hosting movie nights.
NEXT YEAR
Our residential weekends are open to families affected by cavernoma in any way. If you’re not yet a member of CaverFamilies but would like to be, please get in touch by calling us on 01305213876 or sending an email to hello@cavernoma.org.uk
Next year we’ll be celebrating 10 years of CaverFamilies so you won’t want to miss it!
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We can’t thank our wonderful community enough for their continued support! CaverFamilies really is such a special part of our charity and it will remain a top priority as we move to the future. To learn more about the support we offer families click here.