Kidz to Adultz Middle Unveils New Connection Hub at Coventry Building Society Arena

A major Midlands exhibition which provides advice and guidance for people who support children and young people with disabilities and additional needs is expanding with a new space to allow parents to share their own experiences.

Kidz to Adultz Middle attracts children, parents, teachers and professionals in the health and social care sector to try out equipment and products and gain expert advice.

It is being held at Coventry Building Society Arena on Thursday, March 14 and is expected to welcome more than 2,000 visitors on the day.

The organisers have found that the shows are a meeting point for carers, parents and professionals to discuss the challenges they are facing either at home or in the workplace.

In response, a new Connection Hub has been created, providing a dedicated area for visitors to connect with other visitors who are dealing with similar challenges, share experiences, and insights and build a supportive network.

More than 100 exhibitors will be at the event showcasing equipment, products and services – with opportunities to get hands on and test equipment including mobility products, seating, beds, accessible vehicles, toys and more.

A comprehensive free programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited seminars will also be held alongside the show to gain further advice from industry-leading experts.

It will also be hosting wheelchair skills training sessions, an area with the chance to explore to the latest advancements in assistive technology and gaming.

The Adapted Gaming Experience will feature accessible games, a chance to speak with charity Everyone Can which help to match assistive technology to disabled people's needs, and assistive technology specialists The Apogee Project and Pretorian Technologies.

Children are also invited to the World Book Day After Party on the day, which will feature a mini disco, storytelling session, magic tricks and more – with children encouraged to come in fancy dress.

Kidz to Adultz is organised by charity Disabled Living.

Carmel Hourigan, Senior Manager at Disabled Living, said: “Providing sector leading advice and opportunities to test the latest equipment is what our event is known for, but we have noticed in recent years that it has also become a meeting place for many people.

“That interaction can be invaluable to parents, families, carers and people working in the healthcare industry.

“We have introduced this new area to help enable that sharing of knowledge, providing a safe space to share experiences and provide peer-to-peer advice.

“We’re pleased to be back to Coventry Building Society Arena again, which is centrally located and means we are easily accessible to visitors from across the Midlands, including Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.”

Kidz to Adultz Middle has grown significantly since it was first held at Coventry Building Society Arena in 2009 – with the first event attracting 70 exhibitors and 1,400 visitors.

Jenni Ford, Director of Sales and Marketing at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “Kidz to Adultz provides an incredibly important service for its visitors and we are proud to have hosted the event for the last 15 years.”

Kidz to Adultz Middle is free to attend. For more information visit https://www.kidzexhibitions.co.uk/kidz-middle/