Big Day is one of the TSA’s longest-running event, where everyone who is affected by TSC is invited to come along in-person to meet with other people who understand the impact that TSC can have on daily lives. 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

Big Day 2023 will take place on Saturday 13 May at the Innside by Melia Hotel in Manchester. Innside by Melia is in central Manchester, a short taxi journey from Manchester Piccadilly or just a 15-minute walk. Secure parking is available at the hotel.

The agenda for Big Day 2023 is now confirmed as follows. However, at Big Day you can go at your own pace – there is 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!

• 10:00 – 10:30: Doors open, teas/coffees pastries
• 10:30 – 10:45: Welcome and introductions
• 10:45 – 11:15: Challenges and opportunities in the TSC community (Annemarie Cotton, TSA Trustee)
• 11:15 – 12:00: Past progress and the future direction of TSC research (Dr Chris Kingswood, St. George’s TSC Clinic)
• 12:00 – 13:30: Lunch and networking
• 13:30 – 14:15: Transition from child to adult care services (Catherine Swales, Evelina TSC Clinic)
• 14:15 – 14:30: Break
• 14:30 – 15:30: The Importance of Sleep (Kerry Davies, The Sleep Charity)
• 15:30 – 16:30: An update on TSC epilepsy trial (Dr Sam Amin, Bristol TSC Clinic)
• 16:30: Thank you and close, opportunities to connect and network continue

The TSA does not organise accommodation for Big Day. Attendees may wish to stay in the Innside by Melia itself, or to stay in another local hotel. Those who wish to come to Big Day for the day only are also very welcome.

Other nearby hotels include Premier Inn Manchester City Centre, and Jurys Inn Manchester.

The TSA is delighted to offer a creche at this year’s Big Day for children aged under 18. We’ve partnered with Event Childcare to offer his service, with their family-owned team providing SEN nannies at Big Day. The creche will be available 10am – 4:30pm. The creche is provided in a room very close to the main Big Day meeting room. Thank you to Jeans for Genes for their support, which has allowed the creche to be a possibility.

Other than the creche, the TSA will not offer 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 at-home 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. We also encourage people who have fewer and more support needs to come.

Big Day is a chance for the entire TSC community as a whole to connect, whoever you are.

Although the TSA always tries to keep the financial impact of Big Day as low as possible, the costs associated with event – including travel, accommodation and food – can quickly add up.

TSA Support Fund might be able to help. Open to anyone who lives with TSC and receives benefits, the TSA Support Fund offers grants to people when the financial impact of TSC becomes too much – including with grants towards paying for attending Big Day. Whether it’s costs towards travel, accommodation or care support (or anything else).