What is TICfest?

Our residential weekend events for families aim to bring people in the TS community together for fun and fellowship.

What is TICfest?

TICfest provides a safe, non-judgemental environment where parents and children can relax, have fun and make friends. We keep the children busy, with new challenges and games, giving parents the opportunity to share their TS stories with others.

All the venues have been chosen for their open spaces, range of activities and friendly staff. The accommodation is warm and practical but very basic - it is NOT hotel standard! Although each family will have their own room (at most venues), the bathroom facilities are generally shared. 

Please note:

• A family group must comprise a maximum of two adults (over 18) and 3 children, comprising the child/children with TS (18 and under) plus any immediate siblings (18 and under).
• Adults (over 18) pay £65 per head and children (under 18) receive a free place. We want our events to be accessible to all, so if financial constraints are preventing you from applying, please reach out to us.
• If we are oversubscribed, please see Terms and Conditions below for our allocation process.
• Please note we are unable to accept dogs at TICfest, other than fully trained support dogs (please ask for our policy on this if required).

Catering

Food and drink at our locations vary, but the following is always offered:

• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Water refill stations (reuseable bottles are encouraged)
• Tea/Coffee (reuseable mugs are encouraged)
• Dietary requirements catered for when known in advance
• NUT FREE SITES

Participants are encouraged to bring any “safe foods” and snacks that they may wish to have during the weekend, but facilities for storing/heating may not be available at all sites and guests are asked NOT to eat in their rooms for health & safety reasons.

You will be informed of any further restrictions, packing lists and more in your welcome pack.

Travel

Locations have been chosen for their accessible travel options and to ensure inclusivity for all participants across the UK. However, please consider the following when deciding on which location you wish to express an interest for:

• No travel is provided by Tourettes Action to get to and from the venue
• Participants need to make their own travel arrangements, and at their own cost
• TA cannot accept any responsibility for suggesting travel
• Maps and travel guidance will be issued to confirmed participants in the Welcome Pack

The Green Team

Our Green Team are here to provide a friendly face and will lead social, craft and games style activities throughout the weekend. They are here to ensure you enjoy your time with us.

The team comprises of paid temporary fest workers, who have lived experience of Tourette syndrome, and Tourettes Action permanent members of staff.

• They are all over the age of 18
• Have attended a TICfest, TEENfest or Adult weekend in the past
• Have enhanced DBS checks - reviewed yearly
• Have Basic First Aid and safeguarding certificates
• Our team have been recruited for their friendly, supportive attitude, but are not intended to supervise children
• Parents must always have responsibility for their family

What's on offer for 2026?

TICfest East Norfolk 15 - 17 May 2026	TICfest North Cumbria 7 - 9 August 2026	TICfest West North Wales 21 - 23 August 2026	TICfest South Devon 4 - 6 September 2026

Expressions of interest open early January 2026 via the TA newsletter – make sure you’re signed up!

TICfest Terms and Conditions

• Families are limited to attend one TICfest, per year, as the demand for these events outstrips supply and we try to make sure that as many families as possible can benefit from attending each year
• For a family to warrant a place at one of our TICfest events, a child of the family must have or be awaiting a formal diagnosis of TS
• Definition of family group: Maximum of two adults (over 18) and siblings of your child with TS. All children (TS child and siblings) must be under 18. Children with TS must have a diagnosis or be in the process of awaiting a formal diagnosis and this must be evidenced by uploading a clinician’s letter/clinic letter on the booking form
• Adults (over 18) pay £65 per head, children (under 18) receive a free place. Once you receive confirmation of your place at the TICfest event you will be asked to make your payment by the deadline given. If you fail to make your payment you agree to forfeit your place, and it will be given to another family
• For transparency places will be allocated to a TICfest in this order and our word is final:

1. Members from the previous year’s waiting list
2. First-time participants at a ‘Fest with a TS diagnosis
3. Members with a TS diagnosis who have attended a ‘Fest previously
4. First-time participants at a ‘Fest waiting for their formal diagnosis

• Once the places are allocated, all first-time participants at a ‘Fest’, with a confirmed diagnosis of TS, who were unsuccessful in gaining a place, will be added to a waiting list. People on this waiting list will then get places first at next year's event following the allocation rules above
• If you are unable to attend the TICfest you must give Tourettes Action as much notice as possible so that they are able to offer the place to another family. We will endeavour to provide a full refund to you if we are able to fill the cancelled booking. If the place is cancelled less than 2 weeks before the event, a replacement family will not be sought and a refund cannot be offered
• There are strictly no pets allowed at any Tourettes Action event or activity with the exception of Guide Dogs and assistance dogs. If you are bringing a Guide Dog or assistance dog you must make this clear on the booking form and validity will be sought
• All meals are included for all family members throughout the weekend. If any member of your family has specific dietary requirements you must complete the relevant section of the booking form so that the venue can accommodate your needs. If for what ever reason the venue cannot accommodate your requirements, you will be notified in advance of attending, to enable you to make alternative eating arrangements
• The event will be nut-free, with all snacks and meals prepared without nuts or nut products. We also ask for guests not to bring nuts or nut products to the venue
• All activities are included throughout the weekend. Our objective is to make sure that there are a range of activities provided to meet the expectations of all children attending. Some activities may be more challenging or extreme than others, it will be your responsibility to select activities that are appropriate to your family
• Accommodation is included throughout the weekend. Each family will be given their own private room. Please note that your room may not have en-suite facilities and you will have to share a bathroom with other families. It is highly unlikely that changes to accommodation will be made once they have been allocated
• You agree to listen and to do as instructed by members of Tourettes Action staff and staff who work for the venue that the TICfest is being held at. This is for your safety and the safety of your family
• At TICfest parents are responsible for their children at all times, Tourettes Action staff are there to ensure the safe running of the event but do not take direct responsibility for children. Parents must be aware of their children’s whereabouts at all times
• Upon hearing a fire alarm you will follow instructions given to you by venue staff or Tourettes Acton staff. If they are not present during an alarm you will make your way to the fire assembly point (details of which are provided upon arrival)
• Tourettes Action and the venue has fully risk assessed the weekend and made sure that appropriate controls are in place for your safety and the safety of your family
• If car parking is available at the venue, neither the venue or Tourettes Action accept any responsibility for any loss or damage to your vehicle
• All personal belongings are the responsibility of those that bring them to the event. Neither the venue or Tourettes Action can be held responsible for any loss or damage to personal items
• Some venues allow that alcohol can be brought and consumed at appropriate times e.g. evening socialising, by those guests that are 18 years or older only. You will be informed in your welcome email whether the venue permits alcohol or not. In the event that the venue allows alcohol, we ask you to please drink responsibly
• Drugs are not permitted at the venue
• Smoking and vaping are not permitted at the venue

For more information, please contact our Events Manager Amanda Patterson on Amanda@tourettes-action.org.uk