This August, disabled or seriously ill children and their families can learn to code, animate and create their way through summer with national disability charity Family Fund’s Discover Digital summer festival.

Offering fun and fully accessible creative workshops particularly designed for disabled and seriously ill children, the festival can be joined live or, for the first time this year, on-demand, in their own time and at their own pace.

The festival takes place online over two weeks from Monday 3 August to Friday 14 August and is packed with engaging learning and development sessions including how to create a LEGO animation, explore the basics of 3D design, create your own digital mini-magazine about a topic you love or exploring your inner DJ by creating and produce your own original song.

Families can access all the workshops they want on an android tablet, iPad, smartphone or computer. All sessions run via Zoom and are led by a qualified trainer with our Family Fund team on hand to support. Families can register and find out more here: Discover Digital festival workshops

Discover Digital summer festival is aimed at disabled or seriously ill children typically aged 8–14 years, or a Key Stage 2/Key Stage 3 level. Workshops are a social opportunity to meet other families and accommodate a wide range of needs and learning styles. Siblings are welcome to join too.

Family Fund is a national support charity for families raising disabled and seriously ill children on a low income - providing vital grants and services. The festival aims to connect families, build confidence and reduce isolation, creating a space for children and parents to make friends and have fun together over the school holidays.

All families deserve to unwind and enjoy quality time together over summer, but it can be expensive and lonely for families with disabled and seriously ill children. Some are unable to access group play and leisure activities within the school holidays and there are often few suitable childcare options for children with additional needs.

Discover Digital is designed to connect families and enhance summer. It’s about meeting children where they are to create, learn skills and just have fun together. The festival is packed with content so there’s something for everyone, from making videos and ‘zines to digital drawing on the sketchbook app.

83% of parents who came to a workshop last year said their child’s wellbeing benefitted – so this really does put a smile on families’ faces. We're passionate about inclusion at Family Fund and will speak to every family that registers to help make sure their workshop in delivered in line with their specific needs.

The full workshop programme includes 3D design with Tinkercad, code your own Snake game with Scratch, LEGO animation with Stop Motion Studio app, song building with Loops, story book writing with AI, make your own ‘Zine, draw with the Sketchbook app and create short videos

In feedback, 94% of families rated the festival workshops as good or excellent and 89% of families said the workshops helped their children feel more confident using a digital device.

Families can see the full timetable of sessions and register here: Discover Digital summer workshops

Last year Family Fund delivered more support than ever before, providing over 295,000 grants and services to families in need. Family Fund’s year-round Discover Digital support programme offers free digital skills and creative workshops and resources to families on a lower income raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people. The charity delivered over 19,400 grants for digital devices and apps in 2025/26 to help combat digital exclusion

For more information about Family Fund visit familyfund.org.uk