The annual Young Sense weekend is a great way for network members to meet up and socialise, take part in activities and – importantly - have lots of fun!

When is the next weekend?

The next Young Sense weekend will be in November 2012. Find out more and apply.

Read about previous Young Sense weekends

Healthy body, Healthy mind

The Young Sense weekend - November 2012

The Young Sense weekend 2012 got off to a fantastic start on the Friday night with the 15 young people taking part in some get to know you games, socialising and playing curling into the early hours of the morning. On Saturday they explored the theme of ‘Healthy body, Healthy mind’ by taking part in a variety of workshops and activities, such as swimming, yoga, orienteering, healthy cooking and the ‘five ways to wellbeing’. The Yoga session was led by Graham Nolan and was a relaxing and fully inclusive workshop focussing on being calm and peaceful and taking a moment to notice the little things; from joints in your fingers to moments of silence.

In stark contrast to this was the orienteering workshop led by volunteer Stephen Hollamby. The workshop was a high energy race around a course set in the grounds of the accommodation. With high tech sensors, lights and a print out of lap times the race was on for the young people to find their way around the course in record time. ‘The workshops were varied and the focus on healthy living was about hobbies, enjoyment and state of mind’. In the evening most of the group let their hair down by bowling and dancing the night away! A festive few stayed behind to make Christmas decorations and bake mince pies ready for the return of the rest of the group.

The Young Sense steering group had suggested that having music involved in the weekend would be a good idea, so on Sunday everyone took part in a drumming workshop. The energetic beats and rhythms woke everyone up after a long weekend of learning and fun. The weekend is planned by members of the network aged 13-25 and supported by volunteers, it’s a great chance for young deafblind people to get together, learn something new, increase their independence and most of all have fun!

Let’s get dramatic and make some noise!

The Young Sense weekend - January 2012

In January 2012, 13 network members aged 13 to 25 years had a great time at Rosliston Forestry Centre, Derbyshire. The weekend was all about drama and music, and titled Let’s get dramatic and make some noise!

Nick and Alrick, from the group Advocreate, joined the Young Sense members to lead the drama and music workshops. On Saturday Nick led the group on a mission to find the secret to life! This involved working together to cross great seas and climb treacherous mountains.

Alrick worked with the young people on creating the soundtrack to this journey and everyone enjoyed trying out the unusual instruments that he brought along.

On Sunday, the group worked on their own story and then got busy acting it out or creating the music which was then brought together to make an interesting tale of an old man who, while on a walk in a forest, comes across some aliens with evil intentions.

We all came away with our own highlights from the workshops, but a couple of stand-out moments include a raucous campfire song and everyone cheering as we each went through a green portal after we had moved or danced through a sound beam. For those not in the know, a sound beam sends out an invisible beam that when someone moves across it translates the movement into a plethora of strange sounds. 

For those who fancied a quiet night in after the busy day of workshops there was a chance to relax with hand massages, face packs and, of course, gossip over a cup of tea.

On Sunday afternoon it was time to say our goodbyes everyone agreed they’d had a great time - and can’t wait for the next Young Sense event.

Young Sense Campaign for Success!

The Young Sense weekend - November 2010

“Be a media star, make a video or radio documentary, organise a demonstration, or lobby your MP,” the advert read. Perhaps grand ideas, but last year’s Young Sense weekend appealed to many and a great time was had by all.

The weekend in November centred on the theme of campaigning. The young people who attended enjoyed masterclasses in the art of raising awareness and had the chance to launch their own campaign.

The Young Sensers were united in their decision to campaign on improved public transport.

“They realised that they cannot begin to tackle the many other barriers they face if they cannot travel anywhere in the first instance,” said Rosemary Frazer, workshop leader and Citizenship and Rights Officer.

The Young Sense members started by talking about the difficulties they face when travelling, and many shared similar experiences. From this seed of an idea they moved on to communicating the launch of the campaign and they set about designing Facebook pages and making short films.

Along with the inspiring talk of making change happen there was plenty of time for activities and socialising over the weekend. Archery and curling were particular hits, as was a visit to the local pub!