Singing, drumming and 'freedom to fly': Inside Ipswich hospice's magical festival day

Why it matters: Nearly 140 people came together for the festival-style event at East Anglia's Children's Hospices' (EACH) Suffolk base, offering a day of music, dance and sensory play for those receiving care and support.

The details: Highlights included:

• Music from folk and sea shanty crew Rum Ole Boys
• A performance from Ipswich School of Dance
• A music and movement workshop run by DanceEast
• The chance to stroke furry friends thanks to a visit from Allonsfield Care Farm
• Face painting by Abbie Khangaroot
• A visit from Suffolk-based circus school Circable, offering activities using balance, coordination and strength

Families also learnt more about the ongoing expansion project at The Treehouse, with children able to sit in a real-life digger being used for the construction.

One of the most memorable moments came when two children receiving care plucked up the courage to come forward and sing, accompanied by a sibling who expertly played the drums.

Special guest Joe Thomson, Ipswich Talk Club Captain, was also on hand to spread the word about the Ipswich Town Foundation's speaking and listening club for men, held at Portman Road every other Tuesday evening.

What they're saying: Kelly Evans, EACH's Groups and Events Co-ordinator at The Treehouse, said: "We couldn't be more thankful for the incredible engagement of our local community.

"The energy everyone brings is amazing. There were so many wonderful interactions, and an event of this nature is a way of bringing lots of families together in one safe space.

"The Treehouse is somewhere they're familiar with, and because of that, they're relaxed and comfortable and hopefully have a great time.

"At this time of year, there are lots of public summer gatherings such as fetes and carnivals, but for some of the families we support these can be inaccessible and impossible to attend.

"Instead, we create an environment appropriate for them, as well as being around other people who understand their situations.

"There's something for everyone, and we try our hardest to make it the most memorable sensory experience, offering things that are colourful and visual alongside activities involving feeling, touching and hearing."

Cindy Downey, from Circable, said: "It was an absolute honour to be asked, and the opportunity to take circus skills to those people we're trying to reach the most was an absolute pleasure.

"It was amazing to see so many children accessing the equipment and having the freedom to fly."

In total, 136 people representing 34 families attended, supported by 17 volunteers who gave up their time to help the EACH team.

Kelly Evans added: "The volunteers are incredible. They come from all different areas of the organisation – from wellbeing to facilities and fundraising – and everyone chips in and does so much invaluable work behind the scenes.

"Nothing's too big an ask, and an event of this nature, and of this scale, simply wouldn't be possible without them.

"Together, we make things happen, and this is a place where magic happens."

For context: More than 730 children, young people and family members are currently receiving care and support from EACH across the region, with nearly 200 – around 120 of them children and young people – supported through The Treehouse in Ipswich.

The bottom line: For families who can find summer's usual fetes and carnivals inaccessible, TreeFEST offered a rare festival built around them – and, by all accounts, plenty of magic along the way.

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