Big Day is one of the TSA’s longest-running events. Everyone in the TSC community is invited to come along in-person and connect with others affected by TSC. It is a full-day event, with talks, opportunities to make new friends, and the chance to speak with people from the TSA.
At Big Day you can expect to:
- Be in an environment where people understand the impact that TSC can have on lives, with significant time allowed for networking
- Discuss a range of topics, all focused on TSC
- Have the opportunity to meet and get to know individuals and families affected by TSC
- Meet the TSA team and tell us about what is most important to you
We try to keep Big Day as affordable for everyone. Tickets are priced £10 for adults and are free for children under 18. This helps us to get back a small amount of what it costs to run the event and to provide a free creche.
Big Day 2024 will take place on Saturday 18 May 10am – 4:30pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Reading.
Crowne Plaza Reading is in central Reading, a very short taxi journey from Reading station or just a 15-minute walk. Secure parking is available at the hotel at £15, with other car parking options around the area too.
Big Day is always a busy event and this year is no different! However, you can go at your own pace – there’s no pressure to be involved in any session that you would prefer to sit out. If you’d rather just spend the day talking to others in a quiet corner, then you’re welcome to do so!
The Big Day 2024 agenda is now confirmed! As usual, we’ve planned a full day with lots of opportunities to learn and connect:
- 10:00 – 10:30. Doors open. Tea, coffee and pastries
- 10:30 – 10:45. Welcome and introductions (TSA staff)
- 10:45 – 11:15. Finding a new way to treat TSC-related epilepsy (Dr Amanda Armacellas Barbanoj, TSC researcher)
- 11:15 – 12:15. TAND support update. Dr Fiona Senior (Consultant Psychologist, All-Wales TSC Clinic)
- 12:15 – 13:45. Lunch and networking
- 13:45 – 14:30. Supporting siblings of children and adults with TSC. Claire Kassa (charity Sibs)
- 14:30 – 15:15. The benefits of creativity and art therapy for people with TSC (Sarah Goy, professional artist)
- 15:15 – 15:30. Break
- 15:30 – 16:30. Bitesize research updates (Early career TSC researchers)
- 16:30. Thank you and close
The TSA does not organise accommodation for Big Day. Accommodation isn’t a requirement in order to attend.
Attendees might wish to stay in the Crowne Plaza Reading hotel itself, or to stay in another local hotel. Other nearby hotels include Premier Inn Reading Caversham, and EasyHotel Reading.
We’re delighted to provide a creche at this year’s Big Day for children aged under 18. We’ve partnered with the fantastic Event Childcare to offer this service. Event Childcare is a family-owned team who provide SEN nannies at events, including Big Day. We were delighted to welcome Event Childcare to previous Big Days.
The creche will be available 10am – 4:30pm. The creche is provided in a room very close to the main Big Day meeting room. If you plan to make use of the creche facilities at Big Day, please ensure that you include this on your booking form.
Other than the creche, the TSA will not provide any other form of care support at Big Day. If you require a carer at Big Day, we kindly ask that your carer comes with you. If paying for care support to attend Big Day is a challenge for you, you might want to consider applying to the TSA Support Fund.
Big Day welcomes everyone in the TSC community. Whether you live with TSC yourself, if you’re a family member or partner of someone who has TSC, or a carer or other professional.
Big Day is a chance for the entire TSC community as a whole to connect, whoever you are and how much TSC affects you and your family.
We’re always looking for ideas and advice from the TSC community on how to shape all of our events, including Big Day! If you have any suggestions, be sure to let us know by contacting support@tuberous-sclerosis.org.
Although the TSA always tries to keep the price of Big Day for attendees as low as possible, all the costs associated with event – including travel, accommodation and food – can quickly add up.
TSA Support Fund might be able to help. Open to people affected by TSC and in receipt of benefits, the TSA Support Fund offers grants to people when the financial impact of TSC becomes too much – including with costs towards paying for attending Big Day whether it’s costs towards travel, accommodation or care support (or anything else).
You can also apply for complementary tickets for Big Day here.