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On Friday 8th August, our Caudwell International Children’s Centre came alive as we welcomed more than 1,400 wonderful visitors to our Family Open Day. Thanks to the generous support of Trentham Foods and Daniel’s Delights, it was a day filled with fun, laughter and joy.
This year’s event was extra special, not only was it our biggest yet, but it was also part of our celebrations for 25 years of Caudwell Children.
Why This Day Matters to Us
At Caudwell Children, everything we do is driven by our mission: to create a more inclusive world for disabled and autistic children. We fight to challenge stigma, influence policy, and deliver life-changing support for children and young people aged 0–25.
Our services range from practical and emotional family support to comprehensive autism assessments carried out by our incredible in-house, multi-disciplinary clinical team.
Our CEO, Claire Marshall, spent much of the day speaking with families, and the conversations she had reminded us why events like this are so important:
“The relief we heard from parents that someone understands, the sanctuary we provide, the surprise and comfort of finding others who share similar experiences. It made the world less lonely for many kids and parents.”
Fun for Everyone
The day was bursting with activities, from meeting friendly animals up close and exploring the sensory bus provided by Ruby’s Fund to gaming in our interactive games room and dancing along to a live DJ session from Gifted Workshops. Families also enjoyed immersive sensory storytelling and the thrill of tackling the Bee Active inflatable assault course. Adding to the excitement, Paralympian Sir Lee Pearson joined us in support of St George’s Knights Powerchair Football, giving children the opportunity to try out the powerchairs for themselves.
Katie who attended the open day said “We had an incredible day as always at our favourite spot, from the warm greeting at reception to the friendly assistance from staff. Caudwell Children always go above and beyond.”
Celebrating Talent and Creativity
We proudly showcased the winners of our Time to Shine competition, Evie, Nevaeh, and Finley, whose talents wowed everyone.
Visitors also enjoyed delicious cupcakes from our Big Birthday Bake campaign, judged by Heather from the Cherry on Top cake shop. The winning design by 9-year-old Lizzie was a huge hit!
An Unforgettable Day
Our Event Coordinator, Vicky Glanville-Wallett, perfectly captured how we all felt:
“It was incredible to welcome so many families back to the centre for our biggest and best Family Fun Open Day yet. Celebrating 25 years of Caudwell Children made this year extra special, and seeing children, parents, carers, and our community come together for a fun-filled day was truly heartwarming.”
We couldn’t have done it without you, our families, supporters, volunteers, and partners. You are the reason we can continue to change lives every single day.
Here’s to making the next 25 years even brighter.
