Adult sibling day 2023

EVENT NOW FULLY BOOKED, PLEASE EMAIL INFO@SIBS.ORG.UK TO BE ADDED TO OUR WAITING LIST

Who can take part?

To join our adult sibling day you must:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Currently live in the UK
• Have (or had) a brother or sister who has a lifelong disability from birth*

Some siblings who join our events are carers for their brother/sister, and many aren’t. Some siblings who join are bereaved. You are very welcome, whatever your circumstances or level of involvement (or not) with your brother/sister’s care.

*Types of lifelong disabilities from birth might include: spina bifida, cerebral palsy, mild/moderate/severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities. These can range from Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, Dravet syndrome, Apert syndrome, Syndromes Without A Name (SWAN), genetic disorders, Cri-du-chat syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), to other life-limiting conditions and other lifelong physical or learning disabilities from birth. 

Who can’t attend?

A sibling-only environment helps siblings to feel comfortable sharing their experiences with others who truly understand. No parents, partners, brothers/sisters, researchers or professionals will be admitted.

When is it?

Saturday 7^th October 2023, with speakers 10am – 4pm.
Registration is from 9.30 – 10am. Join us for coffee, croissants and a chat.
Feel free to have a cuppa and a cake with us afterwards, 4pm – 4.30pm.

Where is it held?

Youth Hostel Association (YHA) London Lee Valley Hostel, Windmill Ln, Cheshunt, Waltham Cross EN8 9AJ

Will this event be live streamed?

No, we’re unable to live stream this event.

We’re fortunate to have been able to run a virtual adult sibling day in 2022 and we’re equally so pleased to be able to offer our 2023 adult sibling day as a face-to-face event, as we haven’t been able to offer this since early 2020. Running a dual event (i.e. face-to-face with live streaming) requires additional funds, equipment and staffing in order to make sure it’s an enjoyable and interactive experience for those at home – an event that would offer good sound quality, video, and the opportunity to interact with other siblings too. We don’t have the resources to manage this at this event and we would love to be able to secure additional funding to run a dual event in future. In the meantime, it’s likely that we’ll continue to offer a mix of virtual events and face-to-face events in our adult sibling calendar going forward, so that we continue to reach siblings who have a preference for one or the other.

What’s included?

• The chance to meet and get to know other adult siblings who have disabled brothers and sisters
• Hear from a panel of adult siblings about their experiences growing up with their disabled brother or sister
• Solicitor and Sibs Trustee Carol McBride will outline the key mental capacity and legal issues that siblings need to understand when supporting their brother or sister
• Researcher and sibling Dr Nikita Hayden will share findings from Sibs Adult Sibling Evidence Review

How much does it cost?

• A ticket is £35 per person, which includes refreshments and a hot and cold buffet lunch. This is small fraction of the actual cost of your place. The event is subsidised by Sibs so that we can offer a low-ticket cost to siblings.
• Free places for siblings in financial difficulty. We never want cost to be a barrier to attending. If you receive benefits or you’re in any other kind of financial difficulty – please don’t hesitate to email info@sibs.org.uk. With proof of your benefits, we can offer a free ticket. We may also be able to support with travel costs.
• ‘Pay what you can’ tickets available. We recognise that the cost of living crisis has affected us all, and perhaps you’re someone who doesn’t receive benefits, but is on a low income. You might want to support the event, but need a reduced ticket cost – for example, £10 or £20. If this sounds like you, please don’t hesitate to email info@sibs.org.uk. With more information about your situation, we can offer a ‘pay what you can’ ticket.
• Help support other siblings to attend. If you’re in the fortunate position of being able to afford a little more, please consider choosing to ‘buy a place for a sibling in need’ at the checkout. Your donation means a sibling who couldn’t otherwise attend, will now be able to.

The fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, because of the cost to the charity of processing this, unless the event has to be cancelled by us due to reasons beyond our control.

Want to stay over the night before?

Local hotel options:

• Travelodge Cheshunt, 9 mins drive from the venue
• Premier inn Enfield, 12 mins drive from the venue
• Search for other local hotel/B&B options by googling ‘Hotels near EN8 9AJ’

Staying at the youth hostel:

• We have booked all accommodation the night before the event (Friday 6^th October), for siblings traveling a long distance.
• There are a small number of private, single occupancy rooms available. These cost £70 per person (en suite bathroom), which includes dinner and breakfast.
• If you’d be happy to share a room with one other sibling, the cost is £35 per person (includes dinner and breakfast). You wouldn’t have to share with someone outside of the event. If you have a sibling friend that you already know you’d like to share with, just let us know (email info@sibs.org.uk) and we’ll match you up.
• The rooms are subsidised by Sibs, so that we can offer them at low cost to siblings.
• You can book a room for Friday 6^th October through us when you book and pay for your event ticket.
• We have not booked rooms for the evening of Saturday 7^th October, as we anticipate that most people will want to travel home that evening. If you choose to stay at the youth hostel on the evening of Saturday 7^th October, you will need to contact them directly to book this.

If you’re staying in the area the night before you can come and join us for a welcome drink at the youth hostel and a friendly chat with other siblings. There’s no additional cost to this. Just reply to the confirmation email you’ll receive from us, so that we know how many drinks to get in!

Travelling to the venue

Please use public transport if you can:

• Cheshunt train station is 3 minute walk from the venue
• Several London buses also operate nearby. Visit gov.uk to plan your journey

Parking:

• NCP car park at Cheshunt train station, £5 for the day, 3 minute walk from the venue
• Cheshunt country walk car park, £5.50 for the day, 2 minute walk from the venue
• There is limited parking at the venue. These spaces will be offered to: a) siblings who are disabled themselves and who have a blue badge; b) siblings who are staying over at the youth hostel on Friday 6^th October

Sharing a journey:

Interested in car sharing with another sibling? Want to see if anyone will be on the same train journey as you? Join our Facebook group #Siblife and put a shout out on there! Not on Facebook but still want to put the word out? Email info@sibs.org.uk and we’ll post on your behalf and let you know the responses.

What’s it like to come to a Sibs event?

We recognise that it might be the first time you have attended a day like this and you might be travelling a long way too. We hope that you feel warmly welcomed, in this supportive, confidential and non-judgmental environment. This day is about you, and your needs and experiences as a sibling. Following our last adult sibling day, 95% of attendees reported increased confidence in managing their situation as a sibling. Here are a few comments from our last adult sibling day:

“Blown away by today. Brilliant talks and panels, but the real joy was just chatting with others who get it. Different experiences, but shared emotions. Thanks so much to all involved.”

“It was a really valuable day. Shared experiences, troubles, support and above all else laughter”

“Such a brilliant day. Wonderful people. Emotional and hilarious. Roll on next year!”

“I found the sense of community very encouraging and supportive.”

“The legal presentation was very well explained and both useful and interesting”

“Everything was very useful – a great balance between emotional and practical support.”

“Empowering and thought-provoking”

“It has been a hugely helpful day. I’m so glad I came!”

“So so important to my sense of confidence, identity and self-esteem. I have found my situation as a sib incredibly lonely and isolating prior to accessing support from Sibs.  Now I feel there are possibilities and a positive future and a way forward.”

Sometimes siblings tell us they’d like to meet others who are in similar situation to them at the event. For example, you might be a sibling who has two disabled brothers or sisters, or you might want to meet others who have a brother/sister with the same diagnosis. Join our Facebook group #Siblife and put a shout out on there! Not on Facebook but still want to put the word out? Email info@sibs.org.uk and we’ll post on your behalf and let you know the responses.

I’ve got questions…

We welcome any questions, big or small! Ping us an email to info@sibs.org.uk

Book your place

• There are a limited number of places available. Book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment
• Admission by prior booking only. We cannot admit people who turn up on the day
• You’ll be contacted for further information after you’ve made your booking (e.g. for dietary requirements, access needs, photography). Your booking is not confirmed until you have responded to this.
• If you have any difficulty with the booking form or any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us via info@sibs.org.uk

EVENT NOW FULLY BOOKED, PLEASE EMAIL INFO@SIBS.ORG.UK TO BE ADDED TO OUR WAITING LIST