Creating Tomorrow
First SENFest a Wonderful Success
At Creating Tomorrow Trust, we firmly believe that supporting young people extends far beyond the classroom. We are passionate about working alongside families, local organisations and community partners to create opportunities where everyone feels welcomed, valued and included.
That commitment came to life on Saturday as Wren Spinney School, proudly hosted the very first SENFest, a celebration of the SEND community that brought together families, support services, local organisations and volunteers from across North Northamptonshire for a truly memorable day.
The event was the vision of Laura Patey-Smith, Operations Manager at Wren Spinney School, whose passion and determination turned an ambitious idea into a fantastic community event. A year -long of planning, collaboration and hard work resulted in a day filled with smiles, laughter and meaningful connections.
Laura was supported by an incredible team of volunteers, staff and community partners who generously gave their time to ensure every family felt welcomed and able to enjoy everything the day had to offer. Their commitment perfectly reflects the values that sit at the heart of Creating Tomorrow Trust—working together to create opportunities that make a real difference.
A Day for the Whole Community
One of the key aims of SENFest was to create an event that was accessible, welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.
Families had the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of free activities, ensuring children and young people could simply have fun in an environment designed with inclusion at its heart.
Alongside the activities, families were able to meet a variety of organisations offering advice, support and guidance for those caring for children and young people with SEND. This included groups such as SEN Mummas, SEN Dads and children's physiotherapy providers, giving families the opportunity to discover local services, ask questions and build new connections.
Events like this demonstrate just how powerful a community can be when organisations come together with a shared purpose.
Working Together Makes a Difference
We were also delighted to welcome colleagues from the emergency services, with both the police and fire service supporting the event and engaging with families throughout the day.
It was wonderful to also welcome Rosie Wrighting MP and Lauren Glanville, the new Mayor of Kettering, who took the time to visit SENFest and see first-hand the positive impact that collaboration and community partnership can have for local families.
Their attendance highlighted the importance of recognising and celebrating inclusive community initiatives that place families and young people at the centre.
We had a great time at SENfest! The inclusive fayre was a safe place for everyone to interact and have some Summer fun.
A huge thank you to everyone that made this event possible - volunteers as always you are amazing!
- Mayor Of Kettering
The Power of Partnership
A huge thank you must also go to Kettering Rugby Club, who provided a fantastic venue, and to the many local businesses and sponsors whose generosity made the event possible.
Because of their support, SENFest was completely free for families to attend, with free food provided for every child, as well as for the volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the day.
This is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when education, businesses and community organisations work together. By combining resources, expertise and goodwill, barriers can be removed, creating opportunities that might not otherwise exist.
More Than Just an Event
For Creating Tomorrow Trust, SENFest represents much more than a successful community event.
It reflects our belief that schools should play an active role within their communities—not working in isolation, but bringing people together, sharing expertise and creating spaces where families feel connected and supported.
We know that raising a child with SEND can sometimes feel isolating. Events like SENFest help families realise they are part of a wider community, surrounded by people who understand, care and want to make a positive difference.
This sense of belonging is something we are incredibly proud to help foster.
Looking Ahead
Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural SENFest, we're delighted to share that planning is already underway for next year's event.
We hope to build on this year's success, welcoming even more families, organisations and community partners as we continue creating opportunities that celebrate inclusion, strengthen connections and support the wider SEND community. If you would like to get involved, please do get in touch.
Finally, a heartfelt thank-you goes to Laura Patey-Smith, every volunteer, every sponsor, every organisation and every family who made the first Creating Tomorrow SENFest such a special occasion.
Together, you demonstrated the very best of what community looks like.
We can't wait to do it all again next year.