Caring Matters Now Annual Conference

We are inviting all charity members to join us at this year’s online conference. The programme of events are listed below. Each event caters for various age groups, so please select the events that are relevant
for you and your family.

Once you have registered for the events you will be attending, we will send you a welcome pack which will include the conference programme, support materials and various event goodies as stated next to the event descriptions.

Registration has now closed. This is to ensure we have enough time to send out welcome packs. Please email [email protected] if you would like to register for an event.

You can view full programme details here.

Welcome & Introductions

Friday 7th May, 8pm – 9pm

Hear the conference programme details explained, an introduction from the Board of Trustees and Regional Support Contacts, plus find out more about the work of Caring Matters Now, including exciting developments for the coming months.

HOW DO YOU C ME NOW? Behind-the-Scenes Story (all ages)

Saturday 8th May, 10am – 11am

Be inspired by listening to the ‘behind-the-scenes’ story of our global awareness campaign, ‘HOW DO YOU C ME NOW?’. A discussion panel of models, parents and exhibition organisers will be contributing to this event. There will be an opportunity to ask the panel questions about the campaign, including how the project came about, what it was like to be photographed, how the series was produced, and the impact the campaign has had. We will also be updating you on the latest developments including future exhibition plans.

Attendees will receive a complementary HOW DO YOU C ME NOW? Poster, this will be included in your conference welcome pack. Following this event, you will be sent details to purchase our HOW DO YOU C ME NOW? merchandise at special conference rates.

Story time with ITV’s Charlotte Hawkins (ages 0-4)

Saturday 8th May, 11:30am – 12pm

‘Giraffes Can’t Dance’ story time aims to build confidence and self-esteem by helping children understand everyone is different – so we should embrace who we are! ITV’s Charlotte Hawkins will be reading the story ‘Giraffes Can’t Dance’ to the children, followed by a giraffe craft making activity.

Children attending this event will receive a complimentary ‘Giraffes Can’t Dance’ book and a giraffe craft kit. These items will be included in your conference welcome pack.

‘This is Me’ Circus Party (ages 5-11)

Saturday 8th May, 1pm – 2pm

‘This is Me’ circus party aims to boost confidence and build friendships by bringing out artistic talents through handpicked circus skills. This event will be hosted by JoJo’s Fun Entertainment.

Children attending this event will receive a complimentary circus goodie bag including all the circus equipment to join in the fun. The circus goodie bag will be included in your conference welcome pack.

Fun Bingo (ages 12-17)

Saturday 8th May, 3pm – 4pm

This event is designed to encourage teenage members to engage with one another in a fun and interactive way. During the hour event, a number of Bingo rounds will be played, with prizes to be won.

Teenagers attending this event will receive bingo sheets and a bingo stamp. The items will be included in your conference welcome pack.

Young Adults Social Gathering (ages 17-24)

Saturday 8th May, 6pm – 7pm

This event gives our young adults the opportunity to meet Katy Jackson (the young adults support contact) and other young adults members. There will be opportunity to chat, share experiences and hear about future charity developments for our young adult members.

Adults with CMN Escape Rooms (ages 18+)

Saturday 8th May, 7:30pm – 9pm

Crack the codes, solve the puzzles and work together to escape! The event will be hosted by Escape Live and promises to be a brilliant experience.

Adults attending this event with receive a Caring Matters Now bandana. This will be included in your conference welcome pack.

‘Parents Together’ Workshop (for parents of children with CMN)

Saturday 8th May, 8pm – 9pm

The ‘Parents Together’ workshop aims to be full of advice and top practical tips to support parents and careers of children and young people with CMN. The workshop will help to build confidence for you and your child, learning how to handle staring and awkward social situations, listening to guest parent speakers, and an opportunity to share your experiences.

Parents attending this event will receive a Caring Matters Now mug, tea bag and chocolate bar along with an age-specific parent support booklet. This will be included in your conference welcome pack.

Research Experiment (ages 5-17)

Sunday 9th May, 10am – 10:30am

This event will be hosted by the CMN research team! The CMN researchers will guide the children and teenagers as they undertake an interactive research experiment. This event will give the children and teenagers a glimpse into the life of a CMN researcher.

Children and teenagers attending this event will receive experiment instructions, research safety goggles and a research ID lanyard! All items will be included in your conference welcome pack.

Escape Rooms (ages 8-11)

Sunday 9th May, 12pm – 1:30pm

Crack the codes, solve the puzzles and work together to escape! The event will be hosted by Escape Live and promises to be a brilliant experience.

Children attending this event with receive a Caring Matters Now bandana. This will be included in your conference welcome pack.

Escape Rooms (ages 12-17)

Sunday 9th May, 12pm – 1:30pm

Crack the codes, solve the puzzles and work together to escape! The event will be hosted by Escape Live and promises to be a brilliant experience.

Teenagers attending this event with receive a Caring Matters Now bandana. This will be included in your conference welcome pack.

Teddy Bears Tea Party Puppet Show (ages 0-7)

Sunday 9th May, 1pm – 1:45pm

Grab your favourite teddy bear for our special teddy bears tea party puppet show, hosted by JoJo’s Fun Entertainment. This is an opportunity for children to meet one another in a fun and engaging way.

Children attending this event will receive their very own Ronnie the Bear to join them at the event, along with a suggested teddy bears tea party menu. All items will be included in your conference welcome pack.

Adults with CMN Social Gathering (ages 18+)

Sunday 9th May, 1pm – 2pm

This event will be hosted by the adult support team, Stacey, Anne, Cheryl and Katy. You will have the opportunity to get to know other adult members, share experiences and hear about future charity developments for our adult members.

Adults attending this event with receive a Caring Matters Now mug, tea bag and chocolate bar. This will be included in your conference welcome pack.

Young Ambassadors Programme Launch (ages 13-19)

Sunday 9th May, 4:30pm – 5pm

Are you aged 13-19 years? Our Young Ambassadors Programme aims to provide young people affected by CMN a platform to develop the following key skills: leadership, innovation, communication, teamwork, building relationships, public speaking and media engagement. This event aims to explain the programme in more detail and invite our teenage members to register for the 2021-22 programme.

Teenagers attending this event will receive information about the Young Ambassador Programme within your conference welcome pack.

Sports Quiz with Soccer AM’s Jimmy Bullard (all ages)

Sunday 9th May, 6pm – 7pm

Join our host Jimmy Bullard for a fun and interactive sport quiz. All those that join in will receive a signed participation certificate by Jimmy Bullard following the event.

Research Presentation, plus Q&A (for adults with CMN and parents of children with CMN)

Sunday 9th May, 8pm – 9pm

Professor Veronica Kinsler will be presenting on all the CMN research work that has taken place to date. Professor Kinsler leads the Kinsler Lab at the Francis Crick Institute in London. This is a fantastic opportunity for all our members to hear about the CMN research and to ask any research-related questions following the presentation.