The DFSG organises Days Out and holidays, across the country, on an annual basis.
As always, the admission cost on the Days Out, and the residential cost of the holidays, is subsidised by the DFSG. Booking forms, for the Days Out and holidays are emailed to our members and enclosed in our newsletters. Please do get in touch if you would like to become a member of the DFSG, in order to join us on these annual events. Membership of the DFSG is free and without obligation. If you are not already a member of the DFSG, a link to our membership form is here.
2023 Holiday to Trevassack, Cornwall.
From one of the 6 Duchenne families who had a fabulous time at Trevassack in Cornwall this October:
“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 – wide doors large accessible wet rooms, the 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 obviously 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
RECENT DUCHENNE FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP DAYS OUT
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:
