Events and holidays...
Each year, we organise a range of days out and holidays for families across the UK. These events are a chance to spend time together and meet other families in a relaxed and supportive environment.
To help make these events accessible, we subsidise both day trips and residential holidays. Details and booking information are shared with members via email and in our newsletters.
If you’d like to join us at future events, you’re very welcome to become a member. Membership is free and without obligation, and you can find the link to sign up here.
Making memories at Brickhouse Farm Cottages
19.12.2025
This year, several DFSG families spent time together at Brickhouse Farm Cottages. It is a truly beautiful setting. And formany families, holidays can feel daunting. Finding somewhere that works for wheelchair users, meets sensory needs, and still feels like a proper break is rare. Brickhouse Farm Cottages offered that and more.
The cottages overlook a small lake, which at this time of year was full of ducks, geese, and ducklings which was a daily source of excitement for the children. Sarah shared, “The real stars of the show were the ducks with their ducklings and the geese with their goslings. It was very special to wake up to their little faces at your door every day.”
On site, families could enjoy a café serving wood-fired pizzas and local ice cream, as well as shared spaces that made it easy to meet, chat, and relax together. For many, it was the chance to connect with other DFSG families that meant the most. Becci shared, “It was really great meeting other families and having them next door. We could all share experiences, and the children got to know and play with each other.”
Accessibility was thoughtfully considered throughout, too. Families were able to use the accessible hydro pool, complete with a hoist, as well as other facilities such as a sensory room, making activities feel inclusive rather than limiting. Sarah said, “The hoist into the bathroom, from Harry’s bed, made life so much easier. The facilities in our cottage were amazing.”
Even when things didn’t go entirely to plan, families spoke about feeling supported and understood. Lisa shared, “Although our son struggled being in a strange place and had to go home, it was lovely to meet other mums and get support through a tricky time. The staff couldn’t do enough for us.”
Beyond the cottages, the location made it easy for families to explore together, from trips to the seaside and local beaches, to evenings spent socialising with bingo and family fun nights. Donna told us, “We loved it so much we have already booked to go next year!”
We’re incredibly grateful to the families who shared their experiences, and we’re so pleased DFSG can help make opportunities like this possible.
Our 2024 holidays at Trevassack Lakes and Brickhouse Farm
02.12.2024
Fourteen of our families enjoyed a subsidised holiday at either the beautiful Trevassack Lakes in Cornwall or the welcoming Brickhouse Cottages in Lancashire. These breaks gave families the chance to relax, spend quality time together and connect with others who understand their experiences.
If you’d like to join other families on a future DFSG holiday, you’re very welcome to sign up to our newsletter to hear about upcoming opportunities.
Here’s what some of the families who joined us in 2024 had to say:
“We all had a lovely time away at Trevassack. Waking up to views of the lake was so calming and relaxing. For October, the weather was mild and Reuben and I had a great time kayaking on the lake. We also enjoyed a delicious roast dinner and breakfast at the café. We would definitely stay again and would recommend this holiday to other families. It was also lovely meeting other families when they organised a Hallowe’en party for us all.”
“We had an amazing time and met some really lovely people. This was the first time we had ever met other Duchenne families. The accommodation and setting were fantastic, and we even took Nyle kayaking around the lake. We would highly recommend this to anyone.”
“Brickhouse Cottages are fully accessible, with profiling beds and overhead hoists. The staff are amazing. Very friendly and welcoming. There’s a great restaurant on site, a fishing lake, a toddler play area, and a peaceful walk around the grounds. It’s also close to Blackpool, which has accessible transport and attractions. Jordan (aged 28) was able to go up Blackpool Tower, which was brilliant. We would definitely go again.”
Our 2024 summer days out
16.09.2024
Throughout 2024, families enjoyed a variety of subsidised days out with DFSG, from visits to Legoland and Colchester Zoo to trips to the Hornby Railway Museum, Bewl Water, Longleat, and three unforgettable outings to see The Lion King in London.
Our 2023 holiday to Trevassack, Cornwall
12.10.2023
In 2023, six DFSG families enjoyed a subsidised holiday at Trevassack in Cornwall. One family shared their experience of the trip:
“Thank you so much for organising this holiday. It really was ‘a special place and a holiday where precious memories were made.’ We would return in a blink of an eye! The place, facilities and staff could not be faulted. It was fully inclusive, which as we know is difficult to find these days, but they made it feel that everything was effortless, and nothing was too much trouble.
The site wardens, Paul and Elle, were incredible! So friendly and helpful and went way above their roles.
On a more personal level, our son Ellis loved his time in Cornwall. He loved the lodge and facilities — everything was easy for him, with wide doors, large accessible wet rooms and equipment available. He loved the hot tub! Ellis also loved the cata-canoe, and it was fantastic that we could enjoy the experience as a family together.
The experience of meeting other families was also important to us, and to be honest was settling. We were humbled to see how every other family just got on with it and thoroughly enjoyed the lake and facilities.
We seriously couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity — thank you to the DFSG and Trevassack.”
— Andy, Bex and Ellis
The National Space Centre, Leicester (April 2023)
The first of our many DFGS Days Out this year was a resounding success with 10 families (39 people) joining together to visit The National Space Centre in Leicester on 29th April.
Bewl Water Family Fun Day, Kent (July 2023)
Several families joined us for our annual Family Fun Day and BBQ at beautiful Bewl Water, in Kent on 1st July. There was a chance to get out on the water, either sailing or in the Wheelyboat Trust’s wheelchair accessible boat. If you missed it this year, please do join us in 2024!
Chester Zoo (July 2023)
Ten families signed up for our DFSG Day Out to Chester Zoo. This is what one family said: “We had a fabulous time at Chester Zoo with the DFSG. It was a rainy day but it didn’t dampen our spirits. We came face to face with a baby Orangutan and even heard the lions roar. Thank you for a great day out.”
Beaulieu Motor Museum, Hampshire (August 2023)
“The sun may not have shone as much as last year, but as a mother of two sons in wheelchairs I was grateful to have a dry day! Families were able to explore all that Beaulieu has to offer and meet for a picnic and ice creams! To me there is something really special about Duchenne families supporting Duchenne families. The youngest Duchenne lad attending was 5 and the eldest was 18, so all on different stages of the Duchenne journey. We may have different circumstances and backgrounds, but Duchenne will never be easy to deal with. So to come together and chat with other families who really do understand, is brilliant for us all. If you’re reading this and wondering if you’d like to come another time, please do, you will be glad you did.” Jo Rowlands
Tilgate Park, Crawley,(August 2023)
Five families joined us for a nice informal day with a chance to chat and picnic. The day, which started a bit damp, then brightened up and became very pleasant for visiting all the animals in the Nature Centre.
British Motor Museum at Gaydon (August 2023)
We had a great day out the British Motor Museum based in Gaydon in Warwickshire in August. We managed to get one of the hottest days of the year for our day out! There were lots of things to do from model making to looking at some of the rare exhibits on display and watching some the rare vehicles drive around a track, one vehicle broke down and had to be towed back, much to the amusement of spectators… The Motor Museum put on an inclusive day for people with disabilities and worked hard to make it a success, they are hoping to do this day again in the future.
Legoland, Windsor (August 2023)
We had an extremely successful Day Out to Legoland with seven families attending. One family said: “It was a wonderful trip, so thankful to be able to do this as a family where my son gets to enjoy as much as anybody else. A lovely day, so grateful for the charity for making this happen and so lovely to meet other DMD families. Thank you DFSG for a lovely family day, and the Legoland staff were all super helpful, which was a great experience.”
Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire (August 2023)
A wet August day didn’t dampen the spirits of the families who met up to visit Whipsnade Zoo and to see all that it has to offer. Once again, it was lovely for the DMD youngsters to meet other young people with Duchenne and for their parents to share their experiences over lunch. A nice day out was had by all.
Southend Seafront, Essex (September 2023)
Our last Summer Day Out was to Southend-on-Sea. No booking was required, it was just a case of turning up on the day to meet other families. It was a lovely sunny day, with the families enjoying the traditional seaside fun of beaches, family attractions and the world famous Pier and its mile long railway.
Natural History Museum (November 2023)
The DFSG Day Out to the Natural History Museum was a great success with nearly 30 of our members enjoying all that this fantastic venue has to offer. Families met up, wandered round together and new friends were made. Just what we at the DFSG do best!
Summer 2022 Updates
Le Fosso 2022
Our DFSG families had a great time on our family holiday in Brittany from the 28th May to 4th June 2022.
2022 Days Out
The DFSG organised a host of Days Out across the country during 2022. As always, the admission cost to all the venues was subsidised by the DFSG. Please do get in touch if you would like to become a member of the DFSG, in order to join us at these Days Out. Membership of the DFSG is free and without obligation.
Bovington Tank Museum
Seven families enjoyed a brilliant DFSG Day Out at Bovington Tank Museum in Dorset on 12th April.
Twickenham Rugby Ground, London
Several families had a great time on a tour of Twickenham Rugby Ground on 11th June.
Bewl Water Family Fun Day, Kent
We had lovely weather for our traditional Family Fun Day and BBQ at beautiful Bewl Water, in Kent on 2nd July. Everybody had fun out on the water, either sailing or in the Wheelyboat Trust’s wheelchair accessible boat.
Wingham Wildlife Park, Kent
On Monday 1st of August a number of families joined us for a lovely day out at Wingham Wildlife Park.
Beaulieu Motor Museum, Hampshire
On Tuesday 9th of August two of our lovely DFSG volunteers organised another successful day out at Beaulieu Motor Museum for 22 of our members. A fantastic day was had by all!
Duxford Air Museum, Cambridgeshire
Our DFSG Day Out to Duxford Air Museum are always a great success and the one this year, on August 25th, was no exception. All the families had a fantastic time looking at the historic aircraft and other military vehicles. Look out for our next DFSG Day Out to Duxford!
Colchester Zoo, Essex
Our Day Out to Colchester Zoo, on September 17th, was a great success with our families meeting up and making new friends – which is always so lovely to see.
Summer 2021 round up…
We were very pleased to be able to organise a series of ‘Picnics in the Park’ at various locations around the UK during the months of July and August. It was fantastic to see lots of families getting together for a fun day out.
Here are some pictures from the picnics:
