Big Sunday: An Event Designed By Mothers, For Mothers

Brighton Youth Centre,

64 Edward St, 

Brighton BN2 0JR, 

18 November 2012 

Mums spend a great deal of time occupied with the welfare of others. But when do they get to relax and
spend some proper quality time doing things they enjoy? Big Sunday is a fully facilitated day of relaxation
and self-expression uniquely for Mums.
 

The all-day event in Brighton, organised by the MothersUncovered team, part of the Livestock charity, focuses specifically on all the emotional and physical needs of mothers. Attendees have the chance to book mini-pamper treatments, yoga & relaxation sessions or art & writing workshops, all included in the modest ticket price. Also included is the use of a creche for babies and pre-school children while Mums attend their sessions and a healthy lunch with refreshments.
 

Brighton & Hove Mayor Bill Randall will be opening the trade fair during the second half of the day at 2pm. Local family centric businesses and organisations such as Family Grapevine, Lazy Daisy Birthing, Fingerprint Jewellery, a Parent Coach and kids activity specialists will all be exhibiting until 5pm when the day ends.
 

There will also be the opportunity to enter a raffle and win prizes including a £30 voucher to spend at Jo-Jo
Maman Bebe, £50 voucher towards classes or activities at Yoga Mamas, Delta Force Paintball Family
tickets, day vouchers at David Lloyd Leisure, a From The Seed aromatherapy back neck & shoulder
massage, a Parentskool course, an outfit for baby from BabyBoyBabyGirl online clothes retailer.
Plus there will be cake, of course there'll be cake.
 

Despite living in a seemingly parent-centric society, in reality, there are not many opportunities for women to
explore openly and honestly, without fear of judgement, their experiences as mothers. Maggie Gordon-
Walker, Livestock director and creator of the event says: “Many mothers we spoke to during the Mothers
Uncovered project felt there was no opportunity to express their feelings in a structured, creative
environment, and this is what we will provide with Big Sunday.”
 

The event is partly funded by Brighton & Hove City Council and the Sussex Community Foundation, with
support from Officrèche nursery and office space. 'It's great to support an event for local families which gives
parents and children a chance to explore feelings in varied ways - and have fun while doing it!', says
Elizabeth Moody-Stuart, Director of Officrèche.
 

Uniquely Organic Eco Spa, Hove are providing luscious treatments, founder, Kirsty Taylor tells us why she
wanted to be involved in Big Sunday, "having just become a new Mum myself I know how a little bit of 'TLC' goes a long way so to be able to offer a taster of our treatments to well deserving parents, how could I
resist!"
 

Early Bird tickets are available until 4th November for only £10. For full details of the event visit
www.livestock.org.uk or buy tickets direct from bigsunday.eventbrite.co.uk .

a kidspace - June workshops!

 a kidspace is a group support programme that allows children whose parents are separating to safely express their feelings through a range of creative and therapeutic activities. Children leave our groups better equipped to deal with and understand their emotions as well as have enhanced resources to communicate their needs and adjust to their new situation.

The group process allows children to relate to others going through similar experiences and therefore not feel so alone through what can be a traumatic and life changing event.

We currently have some sponsored places on our next workshop, which will be taking place in Covent Garden on the 16th and 23rd June, 9.30-12.30 ages 7-13.

Please contact

emma@akidspace.co.uk

Or more information please visit;

www.akidspace.co.uk

SKY BADGER DISABLED CHILDREN’S CHARITY LAUNCHES WEBSITE!

The new charity Sky Badger will guide families with disabled children to the help they need. The Sky Badger website links all existing disabled children’s charities, social services, special needs resources and support under one umbrella.  The site: www.skybadger.co.uk launched this week.

78% of families in the UK with disabled children or children with terminal conditions are kept in the dark for a year or more about what support is available to them.

A survey by new disabled children’s charity Sky Badger shows that only 9% of families are told about disability support within four weeks of diagnosis and a shocking 34% are never told about the help available to them at all.

With cuts to benefits and services, many families of seriously ill and disabled children are struggling to cope, even though help is available, because they just don’t know it’s there.

Sky Badger will help parents get respite care, so they can have a night of unbroken sleep or just a couple of hours’ break; it will help them find out about ‘make a wish’ charities, funders who will help them pay for mobility equipment, specialist insurance and counselling services.

But Sky Badger will do even more than that. It will show families where they can take their disabled child ice-skating, or rock climbing or on safari. Sky Badger exists to show disabled kids that great adventures are possible.

Sky Badger patrons include Professor Stephen Hawking, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger and Gerald Scarfe.

Gerald Scarfe told us: "My childhood asthma meant I spent a lot of time in bed and in hospital, and not much time with friends. I felt isolated and afraid. Drawing was my way of coping. I drew constantly, putting my fears down on paper. This was the beginning of my creative life. I believe that personal difficulties can push you to do great things, that’s why I am a patron of Sky Badger."

Four mothers founded Sky Badger. Between their 11 children, three are disabled and two have life-limiting conditions. The trustees include Celia Patterson, who worked at So Television, an independent production company that makes the Graham Norton Show.