SpeshFest

In 2005, 9 families who had met through Special Kids in the UK camped for a weekend. From this original camp the annual ‘Speshfest’ – affectionately nicknamed by some of our children – was born.

Every summer, Special Kids in the UK hold a family fun day and many families choose to camp either side of it. The camp has been held in Derby and Nottingham but for the last five years it has been held at Lower Lacon Caravan Park in Wem, Shropshire. Lower Lacon is lovely park with a shop, bar, clean and well looked after facilities, a heated pool and lots to do nearby. Special Kids in the UK have exclusive use of a field, with large pitches and electric hook ups and subsidise the cost of camping.

Every year, our camp has grown. Up to 200 people, on a dedicated field, spend a week getting to know other families – all of whom have a child or children with additional needs. Communal breakfasts and dinners, a tea tent open 24 hours with tea/coffee on tap, someone to chat to who understands life with a disabled child, while siblings and children play – differences accepted and ignored. Some families choose to go off site to visit local attractions, others choose to remain on site enjoying the company. Evenings are spent chatting over fire pits, while children are either tucked up in bed or playing nearby.

The family fun day, usually held on a Saturday in August, is a chance to relax with other families, with bouncy castles and a BBQ, with visits from the local fire brigade and entertainers and a marquee with arts and crafts inside in case of poor weather.

The festivities continue into the evening, with a fun fancy dress party and a disco

Now in its 4th year, Special Kids Annual Summer Camp also plays host to the Speshfest Olympics! A wacky races for all! Categories include – under 5’s, 5-10, 11-15, women, men, power chairs, self propelled, wobbly walkers and the most competitive and thrilling race – find a young fast person to whizz our more limited young people up the track by pushing their chair.   It’s a day to enjoy and to encourage fun, no matter what your limitations are

Our family fun day is open to all our members and ‘Speshfest’ camp is open to all verified, charity members. Join the forum here to find out more.

SpeshFest, like all our events, are funded purely from donations and fundraising. Please do consider making any donation you can. Please visit our Just Giving page or TEXT  CAMP17 and £YOUR AMOUNT to 70070