Summer digital festival for disabled children returns    

This August, disabled or seriously ill children and their families can learn to code, animate and create their way through summer with our Discover Digital summer festival.   

Offering fun and fully accessible creative workshops particularly designed for disabled and seriously ill children, the festival can be joined live or, for the first time this year, on-demand, in their own time and at their own pace. 

The festival takes place online over two weeks from Monday 3 August to Friday 14 August and is packed with engaging learning and development sessions including how to create a LEGO animation, explore the basics of 3D design, create your own digital mini-magazine about a topic you love or exploring your inner DJ by creating and produce your own original song.

Register for a workshop now

Families can access all the workshops they want on an android tablet, iPad, smartphone or computer. All sessions run via Zoom and are led by a qualified trainer with our Family Fund team on hand to support.  Families can register and find out more here: Discover Digital festival workshops   

Discover Digital summer festival is aimed at disabled or seriously ill children typically aged 8–14 years, or a Key Stage 2/Key Stage 3 level. Workshops are a social opportunity to meet other families and accommodate a wide range of needs and learning styles. Siblings are welcome to join too.  

The festival aims to connect families, build confidence and reduce isolation, creating a space for children and parents to make friends and have fun together over the school holidays.  

Mark Massen, Family Fund’s Information and Support Development Manager, said: “All families deserve to unwind and enjoy quality time together over summer, but it can be expensive and lonely for families with disabled and seriously ill children. 

“Some are unable to access group play and leisure activities within the school holidays and there are often few suitable childcare options for children with additional needs.  

“83% of parents who came to a workshop last year said their child’s wellbeing benefitted – so this really does put a smile on families’ faces. 

“We’re passionate about inclusion at Family Fund and will speak to every family that registers to help make sure their workshop in delivered in line with their specific needs.”  

“Discover Digital is designed to connect families and enhance summer. It’s about meeting children where they are to create, learn skills and just have fun together. The festival is packed with content so there’s something for everyone, from making videos and ‘zines to digital drawing on the sketchbook app.”  

The full workshop programme includes 3D design with Tinkercad, code your own Snake game with Scratch, LEGO animation with Stop Motion Studio app, song building with Loops, story book writing with AI, make your own ‘Zine, draw with the Sketchbook app and create short videos.  

In feedback, 94% of families rated the festival workshops as good or excellent and 89% of families said the workshops helped their children feel more confident using a digital device.  

Families can see the full timetable of sessions and register here: Discover Digital summer workshops   

Would you like to share your family story?

If you’ve been supported by Family Fund and would like to share your story, we’d love to hear from you.