Blackpool 18+ Weekend

Our first 1Voice 18+ weekend was a chance for adult AAC users to get together and have fun. Staying in a fully accessible hotel, close to Blackpool’s promenade meant people could spend time together and explore any attractions that took their fancy.

A daytime get together at a large, accessible Wetherspoons allowed us to meet up with members who wanted to visit for the day. People used their free time to visit the piers, theme parks, beaches and attractions, strolling on the promenade or riding on the tram. Evening entertainment in the hotel included cabaret, disco, karaoke and bingo.

This marked a return to Blackpool, where 1Voice’s first ever national weekends took place over 25 years ago. Some members who came along reminisced about these events which they had attended as children. Kate and Ian even visited the Norbreck Hotel where the first residential weekend was held.

This event was an opportunity for 1Voice to try a different event format. While members of all ages love an annual get together, it has become increasingly difficult for Trustees to host a traditional residential weekend which feels welcoming and manageable for younger children and new families, while also giving long standing members the chance to socialise and stay connected.

A lack of accessible accommodation that can cater for a group of our size has meant we have been largely restricted to weekends at Treloars college in recent years. The Bond Hotel in Blackpool was a new venue for us to try out and allowed us to host an event in a different area of the country.

15 members joined for the weekend with their families/PAs, with 3 more joining for the day. Five members completed the feedback forms. While two were not sure they liked the new venue and less structured event, three loved it. We plan to run this event again, with members booking directly with the hotel so they can more easily communicate with them about their package and requirements.