Family Weekend 2025
Our next Family Weekend Away will take place from Friday 13th to Monday 16th June 2025 at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest. Read on for all the details and instructions on how to book!
The magic of our Annual Family Weekend Away:
What to expect
- An opportunity for those living with Dravet Syndrome to experience a family holiday in a safe and welcoming environment.
- Plenty of opportunity for parents to meet, unwind and talk with others who really understand what living with Dravet Syndrome means, sharing experiences and knowledge.
- Activities for siblings to meet, chat and have fun with other youngsters who are in exactly the same position, without having to feel that they need to explain their brother or sisters condition, which so often happens.
- Two ambulances & medical crews with us onsite for the duration of the weekend, to respond to emergencies. We know that severe, frequent and prolonged seizures mean families affected by Dravet Syndrome need to be close to urgent medical attention at all times.
Hear all about our Annual Family Weekend Away in our film below:
Discover more, from brothers and sisters of those living with Dravet Syndrome, about our amazing morning of sibling activities and a restaurant lunch in our film below:
Although we were nervous at first, from the moment we walked through the doors we were greeted as friends and by the end of the weekend it felt as though we had met family. This is the most positive group who will understand everything you are going through, with no judgemental or negative attitudes, and you will leave with hope, good memories, and a million names to remember for the inevitable return the following year!
How to book
Our Annual Family Weekend Away 2025 will take place from Friday 13th June to Monday 16th June 2025 at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest.
Step 1: Book your accommodation with Center Parcs directly
As part of your booking, you can choose to book accommodation in a centrally-located lodge. Center Parcs have agreed to waive the fee for booking accommodation in the central area, as follows; The free preference for central areas is for medical support (i.e. if you haven't got a child or adult in your care reliant on medical support and are not part of the medical support yourself, you will not be entitled to the free preference charge).
Booking by phone:
- Book your lodge by phone through the UK Contact Centre; 03448 267723
- When booking through the contact centre, guests must advise that they are attending the Dravet Weekend at Sherwood in June 2025. The advisors will automatically offer the free central preference as part of the booking process.
Booking online:
- Book your lodge online direct with Center Parcs by clicking here and select a central lodge.
- Following making your booking, send a separate email to pre-arrivals.services@centerparcs.co.uk and explain that you have a booking as part of the Dravet Weekend at Sherwood in June 2025. Include your booking reference number. The refund adjustment will be made manually by Center Parcs.
Step 2: Look out for the DSUK Annual Family Weekend Grant announcement in late 2024/early 2025.
We'll be announcing the Family Weekend Grant at the end of 2024 or early in 2025 (the grant awarded was £400 to each family who wanted to attend for the 2024 event). This will be announced across our social channels and here on the website. We'll let you know instructions for applying for the grant, or if you don't wish to receive this grant, instructions on how to let us know you're joining us in 2025.
First Time Families
In this short clip, Penney's parents, Jo and Ross, who attended for the first time in 2023, talk us through how beneficial the weekend was, for not only them, but for Penney and her siblings too.
Support for Families
Find out more about the support we provide to families affected by Dravet Syndrome, including our assistance grants and how to join us.
Fundraising
Our Annual Family Weekend is made possible by the support of our incredible fundraisers. You can find out how to raise funds for DSUK here.
