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Outlook 2022

Saturday 23 April 2022 – Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham

Click here to book your free tickets to Outlook 2022

Are you aged 18+ and mildly affected by TSC? Outlook is a chance to make new and meet old friends, share experiences about TSC and attend interesting  workshops and talks.

All adults mildly affected by TSC will receive a warm welcome at Outlook, no matter where you are from in the UK or whether it is your first time at Outlook or you come every year.

In 2022, we are delighted to bring back a face-to-face Outlook event, with Outlook 2022 taking place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham.

You’ll also find lots of handy information about the meeting below. Keep an eye out for updates, but if you have any questions drop us a message at admin@tuberous-sclerosis.org or email 0300 222 5737.

Outlook is an event hosted by the TSA, where adults mildly affected by TSC can come together and connect.

Offering a relaxed, open and understanding environment of the impact that living with TSC can have on individuals and families, Outlook is one of the longest-running events hosted by the TSC.

At Outlook, you can be in an environment of over-18s who understand the impact that being mildly affected by Outlook can have on daily life. You can expect things like:

  • Opportunities to meet and get to know the TSC community mildly affected by TSC
  • A chance to hear about the work of the TSA and to speak to the team
  • Workshops and talks on topics that can help people mildly affected by TSC

Outlook 2022 will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham on Saturday 23 April 2022. An agenda will be shared closer to the date, with specific timings.

It is traditional for some Outlookers to start their weekend with an evening meal together on the night before Outlook itself, which everyone is welcome to be a part of. If you would like to join the unofficial Outlook evening meal, contact admin@tuberous-sclerosis.org and we will connect you with the meal organisers.

Please note that no TSA staff members will be at the Radisson hotel on the Friday, and any meet-ups that take place on the Friday are organised by TSC community members themselves.

As with all Outlooks, we’re working hard to offer a worthwhile agenda and experience at Outlook 2022. Not all items on the agenda are confirmed yet, but our agenda so far is as follows:

  • 10:00 – 10:45: Welcome and introductions, plus icebreaker
  • 10:45 – 11:00: An update from the TSA
  • 11:00 – 11:15: Break
  • 11:15 – 12:45: Emotional Freedom Technique workshop with Heather Graham (Ready for Change Now)
  • 12:45 – 2:00: Lunch
  • 2:00 – 3:30: Looking After Our Sleep (Kerry Davies, The Sleep Charity)
  • 3:30 – 3:45: Coffee break
  • 3:45 – 4:30: Challenges and opportunities of living with TSC
  • 4:30: Plans for Outlook 2023, thank you and close

Not sure if you would want to take part in a session or workshop on the day? No problem! At Outlook, you can go at your own pace and choose how much you want to get involved.

Unfortunately the TSA does not organise accommodation for Outlook. However, the TSA has negotiated a limited number of hotel rooms with breakfast at the Radisson Blu that have slightly reduced rates (£140 for Friday and £160 for Saturday).

To enquire and purchase these rooms, please email the Radisson Blu Durham directly, stating that you are attending the TSA event on Saturday 23 April 2022.

Other hotel options are in the area (which may be preferred considering budgets) include:

  • Premier Inn Durham City Centre – 3 minute walk to the Radisson Blu (if the Premier Inn website shows either Friday or Saturday as fully booked, please ring their reception on 0333 7774669 as this may be a problem with their website)
  • Durham Marriott Hotel – 11 minute walk / 3 minute car journey to the Radisson Blu

The TSA does not offer care support at Outlook. If you require a carer at Outlook, we kindly ask that your carer comes with you.

Outlook is for adults (aged 18+) who are mildly affected by TSC.

Outlook is a friendly and understanding space. You will be given a very warm welcome, from people who understand the impact that TSC can have on individuals and families. Whether you come to Outlook every year or if this is your first time, we’ll be delighted to have you there!

We are always looking for ideas and advice from the TSC community on how to shape all of our events, including Outlook! If you have any suggestions, be sure to let us know by contacting admin@tuberous-sclerosis.org.

The TSA will only host Outlook 2022 face-to-face if it is safe and sensible to do so. As a result, the TSA will continue to monitor UK Government advice and guidance regarding covid-19 and any related restrictions.

The Radisson Blu Durham (the venue for Outlook 2022) has free parking for people attending Outlook 2022. For people staying overnight at the Radisson Blu, parking is £10 for 24 hours.

TSA Support Fund might be able to help. Open to anyone who lives with TSC and receives benefits, the TSA Support Fund offers small grants to people when the financial impact of TSC becomes too much – including with grants towards paying for attending Outlook.

The TSA wants all adults mildly affected by TSC to attend Outlook if they’d like to, which is one of the reasons why Outlook tickets are free. Although the TSA always tries to keep the financial impact of Outlook as low as possible, the costs associated with Outlook – including travel, accommodation and food – can quickly add up.

Outlook officially begins on Saturday 23 April, within the meeting room booked at the Radisson Blu, Durham. However, some community members from the Outlook group will be stationed within the Radisson Blu reception on Friday afternoon (3:30pm – 5:30pm), to give a warm welcome to those travelling on the Friday.

It is traditional for some Outlookers to start their weekend with an evening meal together on the night before Outlook itself, which everyone is welcome to be a part of. If you would like to join the unofficial Outlook evening meal, contact admin@tuberous-sclerosis.org and we will connect you with the meal organisers.

Please note that no TSA staff members will be at the Radisson hotel on the Friday, and any meet-ups that take place on the Friday are organised by TSC community members themselves.

“Over the past 15 years, the Outlook event has given me more confidence in myself, living and working with TSC on a daily basis. It’s a chance to have fun, find out how others are dealing with similar challenges, and learn about new medical treatments and opportunities. I’ve also made some fabulous friends I keep in touch with through social media.”

– Outlooker

“I find Outlook events informative. You get to learn a lot about TSC and take part in workshops. You can speak to and meet people who live with TSC, so you don’t feel alone. You can also become pen friends with Outlookers later or socialise on social media”

– Megan Hattersley

What is it like to go to Outlook?

We were unable to host Outlook 2020 or 2021 in-person, due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic. However, we were pleased to still host Outlook virtually. You can see some of what we got up to in the below recordings.

Outlook 2021 started with an update on the new TSA support line. Attendees discussed what the support line is and how it can be accessed.

The session also included a special meet and greet from Anna and Mega, the TSA’s new support line advisers, who talked about their professional background is support services and their passions for helping the TSC community.

You can read more about the TSA’s support line here.

The second session of the day came from Heather Carter, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) practitioner and founder of Ready For Change Now. Attendees took part in a practical introduction to EFT, with advice on how EFT might be useful in reducing stress and anxiety.

Thank you to Heather for logging in and offering this great workshop, showing that anything is possible virtually!

You can find out more about Heather Carter here.

In our final main session, community member and long-standing Outlooker Corinne Swainger chaired a talk focused on the challenges and opportunities of being mildly affected by TSC.

Attendees discussed their personal experiences of being mildly affected by TSC, as well as looking at ways in which the condition affects all.

Make a one off or regular  donation

£10 Can allow us to send a welcome pack to a family who has just received a life-changing TSC diagnosis, ensuring that they do not go through this time alone.

£25 Can help us develop materials that are included in our support services, flagship events or campaigns.

£50 Can provide laboratory equipment for a day’s research into the causes, symptoms, management or treatment of TSC.

To provide help for today and a cure for tomorrow