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AN INCLUSIVE DAY OF FAMILY FUN!
The year 2025 marks 15 years of Active Impact making inclusion happen in Gloucestershire and we couldn’t let the moment pass without a celebration!
Our birthday event brought together families from across Gloucestershire to enjoy a wide range of inclusive activities. From circus skills to sports, animals to arts, music to board games, there was something to catch everyone’s interest. The atmosphere throughout the day was delightful: calm but full of energy, with children and young people exploring, trying new things, and sharing those moments with their families.
“My kids have absolutely loved it here. They’ve wanted to take part in everything they’ve come across. They don’t want to go home!”
All around the site, you could see children throwing themselves into activities. A child carefully grooming a pony’s mane, while nearby another group concentrated on striking sparks in their first fire-lighting attempt. Laughter carried across the grounds from the adaptive bikes, where siblings raced each other with big smiles, while inside the sports hall, fencing matches were fought, curling stones slid across the floor and boccia games were played.
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Elsewhere, music was being mixed for the first time, giant bubbles floated over the lawn, children were dancing and grooving, and craft tables filled with colour as families created together. Faces were painted into butterflies, superheroes and animals, and many a family gravitated to the circus skills, spinning plates and trying out tricks. And in the middle of it all, the simplest feedback said it best:
“Mum, I love this day! It was great wasn’t it? We should come here again!”
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The scale of the day was one of the things that made it so special. With 18 different providers, families could wander from one activity to the next and discover something new each time. Whether it was meeting animals, learning a skill, or joining in creative play, there was a genuine sense of welcome and inclusion. Every provider made sure their activity could be accessed and enjoyed by all children, and that gave families the confidence to join in without hesitation.
“It was fabulous to be able to do the things that my son loves to do, to get out beyond the four walls and just have a really nice time together”
It was a day packed with memorable moments, with each activity offering space for curiosity, exploration, and enjoyment. Families left not only with new experiences but also with a sense of belonging to a community that values every child’s right to play, create and take part.
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Parents told us how much they valued the space to feel safe and free:
“We’re having such a lovely day. We all just feel so relaxed and safe. My son wouldn’t normally have tried half of what he’s tried today. It’s so great that we can just have a go and there be no pressure. It’s great for the kids to be around other kids and the parents to be around other parents.”
And, perhaps most powerfully:
“Thank you so much for doing this because we have been able to come here and be ourselves and there isn’t anywhere else we can go and be ourselves. It’s so special – when we can be together and be ourselves, we can have fun. Thank you so much.”
Together, these voices capture what the day was really about: creating spaces where families could feel welcome, included, and free to enjoy themselves. It was a celebration of 15 years of inclusion brought to life and a reminder of why this work matters.
If you would like to find out more about any of the providers involved in our 15th birthday celebrations or discover inclusive activities for your family in Gloucestershire, visit You’re Welcome Gloucestershire – the online inclusive activity finder.
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An evening of reflection and celebration
After the families headed home, the celebrations continued with an evening reception for partners, founders, trustees and colleagues who have played such an important role in our journey. The mood was celebratory and sentimental, with a real sense of appreciation for everything that has been achieved over the past 15 years.
It was a real privilege to look back together, remembering how far the Of Course We Can programme has come, the partnerships that have grown, and the countless children, young people and families who have been part of the story highlighted by two short speeches from long-standing OCWC participants, Ben and Harrison who shared the impact that the programme has had on them personally. Just as importantly, we also looked ahead, sharing hopes for the next chapter and the difference we can continue to make by working together.
The evening culminated in the presentation of a series of awards: the Of Course We Can Pioneer Awards, the Inclusive Activity Awards, and a very special Lifetime Achievement Award. Each one represented a chance to celebrate the people and organisations who have helped shape a more inclusive Gloucestershire. We’ll be sharing more about the winners in a series of dedicated blogs very soon! Watch this space.
