The return of Future Fest

For nearly twenty-five years, Treloar’s Future Fest event has continued to offer an opportunity for students to meet future living service providers from a variety of sectors—from housing to advocacy services, care organisations and activity providers to universities. During COVID, Future Fest went virtual via Zoom, but before half term, we were delighted to welcome back over 30 organisations to exhibit in person for the first time in three years.

Future Fest 2023 was held on Friday 10th February. Our flagship transition event provides a very successful and vital information service so that students can begin to investigate options available to them for when they leave Treloar’s. We know that sorting out the next stage for a young person when they leave the school or college can be very daunting. Our Progress and Transition Team work collaboratively with students, families, local authorities and CCG’S and can offer advice and guidance through the journey to life beyond Treloar’s.

Treloar College student, Natty attended with her family and was interested in university courses at UCA. She hopes to study video game design. Her family said how useful it had been to meet companies like Ask Jules and Star Support who offer care solutions to make it possible for our students to go on to further study at universities.

Another Treloar’s student, Cameron was also interested in seeing the range of courses on offer from our local universities. Luke had been to see the LiveYou stall to discuss supported living, and was inspired by speaking to representatives who have lived experiences of finding care solutions and personal assistants, who were able to suggest ways to enhance his independence. “I believe my future’s bright with supported living,” said Luke.

Fikayo’s is in his first year at Treloar’s, his mother used Future Fest to find out more about care providers closer to home, and how to start planning for the future. With so many providers to choose from, it’s been useful to meet some of them in person, and find out about the various options available for her son’s future living arrangements.

Many future living providers and day services have waiting lists, so it helps to begin researching these options early and Future Fest is a vital part of the process.