Family Days
Our Family Days take place across the UK and give families affected by a brain tumour the chance to spend time together away from hospital, meet other families and enjoy a day out without having to worry about finances.
The aim of The Brain Tumour Charity’s Family Days is to provide a fun, relaxing, and supportive experience for families affected by a brain tumour. Our Family Days also provide the opportunity for parents and children to meet others experiencing similar difficulties and share their stories.
We hold Family Days for families with a child living with a brain tumour and families with a parent living with a brain tumour. Our Family Day events are aimed at families with children under 18 years.
All activities are free and we provide lunch and drinks and snacks throughout the day. We may also be able to help with transport costs – please get in touch for more information.
We also hold Online Teen Events for anybody living with a brain tumour diagnosis, between 13-17 years old, in addition to our teen Instagram group/chat.
Spaces for our Family Days may fill up quickly. If you’ve been unable to book your family onto one of our events, please email our Children and Families team at childrenandfamilies@thebraintumourcharity.org or call us on 0808 800 0004 to be informed if spaces become available again.
Upcoming Family Days
Upcoming Dates:
Saturday 11th November – Bristol Aquarium – Now Sold Out!
Join us under the sea for a day of fishy fun, and come face to fin with marine life from around the world!
Tickets to this event have now sold out. If you would like to be placed on a waitlist, please email: childrenandfamilies@thebraintumourcharity.org along with the details of your party.
Saturday 2nd December – Tamworth SnowDome–Now Sold out!
We’re back at Tamworth’s indoor SnowDome for snowball fights, sledging and the chance to meet Santa’s reindeer!
Tickets to this event have now sold out. If you would like to be placed on a waitlist, please email: childrenandfamilies@thebraintumourcharity.org along with the details of your party.
Watch this space – 2024 dates coming soon!
Previous family days:
Marwell Zoo – Our first family day of 2023 was on the 20th of May at Marwell Zoo!
This event has already taken place but you can read more about what we got up to here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/584949689267?aff=oddtdtcreator
What happens at a Family Day?
Watch our video to learn more about our Family Days and hear the Mitchell family explain why they found attending an event helpful.
Family Day FAQs
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Family Days are for families with children under the age of 18 where either the child or parent is living with a brain tumour. Some of the activities may have a minimum age or height restriction, but you will be informed of that on the day, and we will make sure there are plenty of other things to keep your little ones entertained. We ask that all parents supervise and are responsible for their children throughout the day.
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Yes! Family Days are a great chance for children, siblings and parents to spend a fun day together. Please make sure you register each person who will be joining you on the day.
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We recommend that you wear warm, comfortable clothes and practical footwear. Wearing layers is a good idea so you can adjust your temperature as you warm up during the course of the day and don’t forget your wet weather gear, just in case! Some centres also ask that long hair is tied up for activities depends on the centre.
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We will send you an email with everything you need to know a week before. When you arrive at 10:00am, A member of the team will sign you in and we’ll gather for light refreshments as we wait for other members of the group to join us. Once everyone has arrived, there will be a brief welcome talk from one the Staff team, who will run through the day’s activities. You will then be free to take part in the activities at your leisure, or take some time to relax inside if you wish. Around midday we will have lunch together, followed by more fun in the afternoon!
The scheduled end time is 16:00, however if you wish to leave earlier that is absolutely fine.
You and your family can take part in as little or as much of the planned activities as you wish, the main thing is your enjoy the day together and meet new friends.
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Yes, lunch is provided and light refreshments will be available during the day. If you have any dietary requirements please let us know at the time of booking so that we can accommodate these. You are also welcome to bring your own additional snacks or drinks if you wish.
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Absolutely! The British weather is notoriously unpredictable so please keep an eye on the weather forecast and bring wet weather gear if it looks a little soggy. This is dependent on the venue, but at most centres a large part of the day’s activity will take place outside, so please come prepared.
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There will be access to an indoor space, but we cannot take responsibility for any possessions left unattended. If something is left behind on the day, we will do our best to return it to you.
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We don’t want there to be any barriers to you and your family coming along to a Family Day. We may be able to offer support in booking travel or accommodation for the night before, so you are well rested and ready to go. Please get in touch using the contact details below if you’d like to talk to someone about this.
Email: childrenandfamilies@thebraintumourcharity.org
Phone: 0808 800 0004
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Yes, absolutely. Our Family Day venues are appropriate for those with access needs. Some activities may have restrictions as this can vary between activity centres, but we will do our best to ensure there is plenty for everyone to do. If you need assistance from another person we ask that they too register for the event.
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We understand that things can change from the time of booking which may mean you aren’t able to attend as planned. Please do let us know as soon as possible if you are no longer able to attend so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
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Our staff team will be on hand to help should you need anything throughout the day. We’ll be wearing charity tshirts/hoodys so if you need anything please let one of the team know as we’d be more than happy to help.
As we take photographs throughout the day we ask for photo permission when you register. If you do not want you/your child’s photo taken please inform a member of the team when you arrive on the day.
Join our community on Facebook
Our closed Facebook group is a safe space online to connect with other parents who are affected by brain tumours.
Follow us on Instagram
Our private Teenagers Instagram Account is a safe place for you to share your thoughts, feelings and any questions you have.
Get in touch
For more information about Family Days please contact our Children and Families team: childrenandfamilies@thebraintumourcharity.org.
A big thank you to the Lewis Moody Foundation (LMF) who also kindly support our Childen and Families team in bringing our Family Days to life.
Support and Information Services
Research & Clinical Trials Information
You can also join our active online community.
In this section
My brother has a brain tumour
In our animation for children, Lily helps children understand what its like to have a sibling with a brain tumour.
Mummy has a brain tumour
This animation has been designed to help parents with a brain tumour explain what is happening to their children.
Get your free Brainy Bag
Our Brainy Bag is a free gift for children and young people who have been diagnosed with a brain tumour, made up of a range of handpicked toys and activities!