)
)
)
)
)
On 9th August, Caudwell Children’s International Centre buzzed with excitement as over 1,000 guests gathered for a Family Open Day that perfectly showcased our commitment to supporting disabled and autistic children. The event was a true celebration of inclusivity, bringing together families, friends, and supporters to experience the life-changing work Caudwell Children does every day.
The day was packed with fun and engaging activities, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Trentham Foods, Fifteen Group, RCB, Halcion, Capula, Concentric Solutions, and Stoke on Trent College. These sponsors helped ensure that the event was not only enjoyable but also a fantastic opportunity to highlight the charity’s award-winning facilities and the vital services we offer.
Support and Understanding
For over 24 years, Caudwell Children has been dedicated to creating a world where disabled and autistic children can thrive, from advocating for policy changes to challenging the stigma surrounding disability. We provide a wide range of practical and emotional support services for children and young people aged 0-24. Among these services is our comprehensive autism assessment, delivered by our in-house multidisciplinary clinical team.
The Family Open Day was carefully designed to be fully inclusive, offering a variety of activities that catered to the diverse needs of all attendees. Families had the rare opportunity to explore areas of the centre typically closed to the public, such as the autism assessment and sensory rooms. These spaces, developed in close consultation with beneficiaries and stakeholders, provide a welcoming environment tailored to the needs of the children.
Family Feedback
The event left a lasting impression on many visitors, some of whom were experiencing Caudwell Children’s work for the first time. Claire, who attended with her family, shared her newfound appreciation: “I didn’t know much about Caudwell Children before coming to the open day, but I’ve learned a lot since. After talking to the staff, my friend heard about the Short Break sessions they offer on weekends, and she’s excited to sign up her son, Finley. It was wonderful to see Finley surrounded by other children with similar needs, and he really enjoyed exploring the sensory rooms.”
Joanne, another visitor, echoed this sentiment, saying, “My daughter had her autism assessment at Caudwell Children, and we’ve attended a few workshops. The staff have been absolutely amazing through the assessment process, right up to the aftercare. Caudwell Children’s help has really changed my daughter’s life. The Family Open Day has been lovely—we’ve been in lots of sensory rooms, had our faces painted, and spoken to lots of different people. The event has been a great opportunity to showcase the facilities and for people to learn more about what the charity does.”
A Day to Remember
The event was filled with unforgettable moments. Children had the chance to meet and interact with animals at the Olcote Sanctuary, including chickens, Pony Emmie, and a flock of sheep. Ruby’s Fund provided a sensory bus, while Stoke City’s beloved mascot, Pottermus, led a thrilling penalty shootout. The day also featured a DJ session from Gifted Workshops, magic entertainers Razamatazz, and an inflatable obstacle course from BeeActive.
Jayne Boyles, founder of Olcote Sanctuary, expressed her delight in participating: “We chose to come to the Family Open Day because we think the work Caudwell Children does is amazing—they are an incredible charity, and we wanted to be a part of that. It’s so important for children to interact with animals—it teaches them empathy, kindness, and self-control.”
Adding to the exciting atmosphere, local radio station Hitmix was on hand with their Roadshow, engaging the crowd and bringing smiles to faces young and old. Jane from Hitmix radio commented, “We had a fantastic time at Caudwell Children’s Family Open Day. The sun was shining, and there were so many smiling happy children and so many things to do. We’re really pleased that a lot of people had heard about the event on The Hitmix, and we met a lot of listeners we hadn’t met before.”
Robbie Benson from Hitmix added, “We were so glad to be a part of this event. Caudwell Children is an amazing charity with a beautiful setting, and what the team does here is absolutely fantastic.”
Looking Ahead
With the success of this year’s Family Open Day, we are already planning an even bigger celebration for next year to mark our 25th anniversary. Kathryn Turner-Morgan, Event Coordinator at Caudwell Children, shared her excitement: “Our Family Fun Open Days are designed for children and families to have a fun, free, and accessible day out while learning about the support we as a charity provide to disabled and autistic children. The feedback from families and children has been overwhelmingly positive, and we can’t wait to bring you an extra special Family Event next year to celebrate our 25th Birthday.”
For those eager to learn more about future events and the invaluable services offered by Caudwell Children, visit our website at www.caudwellchildren.com