Our next Family Weekend Away at Center Parcs will take place from Friday 13th to Monday 16th June 2025.
If you are not already booked, and you’d like to join our Family Weekend away at Center Parcs (Sherwood Forest), see below for instructions on how to book and also details on the grant we provide to support families in being able to attend this event.
It can be very isolating caring for someone with Dravet, but for one weekend a year Center Parcs becomes a community of people that have that one thing in common! Being at Center Parcs provides the opportunity to be among other families that are going through similar experiences to you. This seems to lessen the burden and provides a sense of unity with other families.Scott, dad to Thomas
What to expect
The annual weekend away is a time for parents to meet, unwind and talk with others who really understand what living with Dravet Syndrome means, sharing experiences and knowledge. Siblings also have a chance to meet, chat and have fun with other youngsters who are in exactly the same position, without having to feel that they need to make excuses for their brother or sister, which so often happens. As well as time to relax and socialise, each weekend includes lots of events and activities.
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. For this reason, we arrange for two ambulances and medical crews to be with us onsite for the duration of the weekend, to respond to emergencies.
Feedback from families following the weekend is always great, with many booking for the following year immediately on their return. Watch the video below for a flavour of what the Center Parcs weekend away means for families.
How to book:
For 2025, Center Parcs has kindly agreed to waive or refund the extra ‘central reservation fee’ that is usually added for booking accommodation in a centrally-located lodge. This is a special refund agreed only for guests attending our family weekend to provide easier access to central areas, including the medical support lodge.
To receive the refund you will need to:
- pay the upfront fee for a central lodge
- following this, obtain a refund by sending a separate email to: [email protected]. You will need to explain that you have a booking as part of the Dravet Weekend at Sherwood and are requesting the central reservation fee to be reimbursed, you will need to include your booking reference number. The refund adjustment will be made manually by Center Parcs.
Once you have booked your accommodation, you can apply for a Center Parcs Grant by clicking on the link below. If you have booked to attend our annual weekend away with Center Parcs but do not require the grant please do still fill in the grant application form as we do need to know all attendees and your booking reference number for us to include your family in the plans and email list for communications on the weekend. You will need to upload a copy of your Center Parcs booking confirmation as part of the application process.
If you have any questions, please contact Teresa Finch.
Center Parcs grant
Find out about our grant to support families to attend the annual weekend away and how to apply. Note that to join the Family Weekend Away, you first need to register with DSUK, if you haven't already done so.