Family Weekend 2023

Booking now opened!

Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Family weekend is a residential weekend aimed at children and young people up to 25 years old whose lives have been touched by encephalitis worldwide.

The residential weekend will take place at Hollowford Centre, Castleton, Derbyshire, UK on Friday 1st September to Monday 4th September 2023.

The weekend includes outdoor activities and adventures and opportunities to be involved with our projects and case studies.

The cost is £100.00 per family which includes accommodation/meals/activities for parents for three nights. All meals and activities are free for children and young people.

If you have financial difficulties and require a full subsidized place, please get in touch with us.

We also plan to do some filming around families’ experience of encephalitis. Sessions for children, young people and parents on family resilience will be available. Like most of our events, this weekend will also be an opportunity to connect, share experiences and have some fun.

If you would like to book your place and/or find out more information before you commit, please email Julie on [email protected] or +44(0)1653 692583.

Please note: Those under 18 years of age and those with specific health and care needs will need to be accompanied by their parents/guardians/carers.

"Thank you all so very much for letting us join the Family Weekend. It came just at the right time for our family. We all benefitted so much for meeting other people living a very similar life. Looking forward to the next year already." ( Family attending 2022 Weekend)

"It was tailored to everyone's needs and it was so good – we got to do things like abseiling and raft-building. It is the most herself I have ever seen my daughter except from being in the house and I think that's because she was surrounded by people who understood and her guard wasn't up at all" Yvonne talking about her family experience of attending the weekend.

Please see below the 2022 weekend movie

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No two people with encephalitis have the same outcomes. People recover at different paces. Recovery can be helped by having lots of rest, good nutrition, helpful social network and support from professionals.
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The term ‘limbic encephalitis’ (LE) describes the condition when limbic areas of the brain are inflamed (swollen) and consequently not functioning properly. Most forms of LE fall into two main categories: infectious encephalitis and autoimmune encephalitis.
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Encephalitis is a serious neurological condition and unfortunately, despite improvements in specific and more supportive treatments such as excellent intensive care management, encephalitis still has a high mortality (death) rate.
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West Nile encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis caused by West Nile virus. People usually become infected after being bitten by a mosquito, which has fed on an infected bird.
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Emotional and behavioural changes

Following encephalitis, some people may experience emotional and behavioural changes including low mood, increased anxiety, depression, mood swings, frustration, aggression, impulsivity, disinhibition, and/or poor emotional regulation.
Get support

Our Support Service is here to help you with any questions about encephalitis, recovery and rehabilitation or emotional support.