Family Fun Day 2025-a great success, run by the AAC Scotland Network!

Posted by Joanna Courtney on the 23rd October, 2025

Category AAC Communication Aids

Run by specialist staff (CALL Scotland, FAACT, AAC Lothian, SCTCI and others) and funded by the AAC Scotland Network, this was a chance for families of children with additional support needs (age 3-16yrs) to try out and learn about communication supports and assistive technology within a range of fun activities! This year, the Family Fun Day was hosted by the Craighalbert Centre, which proved to be a great venue for the event, in terms of location,  accessibility and facilities.

We were very happy to welcome around 100 children and their family members on Saturday 4th October, a great turn-out considering that Storm Amy was wreaking havoc that weekend!

Around 20 helpers from the AAC Scotland Network, their family members and staff from Craighalbert Centre provided a wide range of activities for the children and families to access and to get ‘hands-on’ experience of a variety of both low tech and high tech AAC and assistive technology.

I liked the range of AAC available.

I liked the engagement from staff.

Parents could chat with experienced staff about technology and software, have demonstrations, 'hands on' time with assistive technology and toys, play games and take part in both a 'Character Hunt' around the activity rooms and a 'Find the Person' communication game, where they had to find a member of staff, say 'hello’ and ask their name (using AAC where possible) and then get them to sign their sheet. Both these activities resulted in a 'prize' from the well stocked 'AAC Shop!'

Children enjoyed creating 'Crayon Art' using adapted equipment, as well as blending their own smoothies, with the help of a mains controller.

They also enjoyed a range of switch and eye gaze adapted activities such as balloon blowing, dressing up as pop stars and switch adapted Nerf Gun practise.

I liked trying out all the switch activities.

I liked the Nerf Gun and meeting people.

Families also enjoyed time in the multisensory Bookbug sessions, where they had the opportunity to join in with shared reading of ‘Shark in the Park on a Windy Day’ and ‘ My Pet Star’ using symbol supports, GoTalks and AAC apps. They also loved using the mains controller to 'blow the wind,' using a fan, looking through their ‘telescopes’ and lighting up the stars, during the stories.

Smartwheelchair rides enabled children with physical difficulties to try out independent movement round the room, many for the first time. The sibling rivalry came out as they raced each other and played football together.

We were also lucky to have an award-winning wheelchair dancing group and award-winning Eye Gaze DJ, Fraser Somerville 'Rising Star in AAC' entertain the families with their musical contributions to the day!

Another important aspect of the day was having lunch and refreshments available to families and helpers. This was a great opportunity for parents and children to connect with each other, share information and make new friends. There was a great atmosphere and lots of smiles as everyone got the chance to have a chat and really feel included in the event.

Thank you to Communication Matters for our small grant, which helped us to supply the lunch and refreshments on the day.

I liked speaking to other parents, who are going through similar things.

Families could drop in for a couple of hours or stay all day (and many did stay until the end!) Leaving tired but happy and hopefully with new contacts, information, ideas and new friends. Thanks to everyone for their help and enthusiasm on the day. See you all next time!

If you attended the Family Fun Day and did not have time to fill in the evaluation form on the day, please take 5 minutes to do so. It will help us plan future days and make them even better! Thank you.

Family Fun Day 2025 Evaluation Form