STAMMAFest Global: Family Day

FAQs

What is STAMMAFest Global?
STAMMAFest Global is an event which combines STAMMA's biennial conference with the 14th World Congress of the International Stuttering Association (ISA). The conference contains a series of workshops, presentations centered around four themes: Change and Empowerment, Community, Culture and Work and Education, as well as a series of social events throughout the week. You can find out more at our STAMMAFest Global website, where you can also book places at the main conference.

Why is the Family Day a different price to the rest of the conference?
This year we were fortunate enough to receive grant funding towards our Family Day. This means we can offer a limited number of tickets for families at a significantly reduced price. Both adults and children need tickets to attend.

When does the Family Day begin/finish?
We will be welcoming people to the Family Day from 10:30am with the first session beginning at 11am. Lunch will be served from 1:15pm. The second half will begin at 2:15pm and finish at 4:30pm.

What is there for parents or guardians?
The Family Day is for you too! We will have events throughout the morning for parents/guardians such as sessions led by adults who stammer and short talks about stammering. While you do not need to be with your child/children while they are in the Family Day activities, a parent or guardian must be always on site. 

What is the age range for the sessions?
We want to give children and young people the chance to meet other people of similar ages who may be going through similar life experiences such as GCSE exams or going to secondary school. Therefore, the age ranges for our sessions are 5-7 years (Key Stage 1 - KS1), 7-11 (KS2) and 11-15 (KS3 and KS4). Children aged 7 or 11 can attend either group depending on their preference and maturity level. We believe young people aged 16 and over would be able to access the main conference. Anyone aged 16-17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Where is the Family Day?
The family day will be based on the ground floor of Teaching Hub 502 at the University of Liverpool. This wheelchair accessible location is connected to our main conference but has its own entrance. In the hub we have a series of differently sized rooms linked to several different social spaces for parents and children. 

Will we be filmed/photographed?
During STAMMAFest Global we will have a photographer and videographer recording the event. We're looking at having brightly coloured lanyards or wristbands to identify people who don't want to be filmed or photographed. If you would prefer for your child or children not to be recorded, please let us know in advance or tell us when you arrive so that you can collect one of our lanyards/wristbands.

Do I have to sign up for the whole conference?
No. You can sign up for the Family Day without having to attend the whole conference. You are also welcome to attend some of our social events such as a tour of Liverpool, quiz night, and the Saturday evening meal and entertainment, for an additional cost.

As a parent, would I have to join in? Could I drop my child off for the day and pick them up later? 
While you do not need to be with your child/children while they are at the Family Day sessions, a parent or guardian must always be on site. We will have a range of activities available for parents and you are welcome to sit in our social area at any point during the morning.

What will children/teenagers get out of the experience other than meeting others?
While the sessions are primarily designed to encourage children to have fun and talk to one another, they also aim to build confidence, develop their social skills and support them to have more positive thoughts and feelings about stammering. The sessions will be led and supported by our group of volunteers including Speech and Language Therapists and adults who stammer.

I'm coming to the conference alone and I'm a parent of a child who stammers. I'd like to meet other parents - can I come to the Family Day or do I need to bring my child? Would I have to pay extra?
If you are a parent of a child who stammers and have paid for a ticket to the main conference which includes the Saturday (eg a day pass or weekend ticket) then you can choose to join the parent sessions at the family day instead of attending sessions at the main conference.