What an incredible morning! We recently hosted our very first in-person gathering for West Midlands CANN (WMCANN) at the wonderful Sense TouchBase Pears, and the room was buzzing from the moment the doors opened.
Bringing together local charities, third-sector groups, and passionate professionals supporting children with additional needs and their families across the West Midlands, our launch event proved just how much appetite there is for genuine connection and shared knowledge.
A Morning Full of Energy and Collaboration
Following a warm welcome and an introduction to the journey of The CANN Network—from its beginnings in Leeds in 2016 through to the expanding network supporting 194 member organisations today—we jumped straight into action:
- Speed Sharing & Networking: Tables were lively with introductions, leaflet swaps, contact sharing, and discussions on how our services can better collaborate rather than work in silos.
- Inspiring Member Presentations: Huge thanks to Harry’s Pals and Forward Carers & the Max Card for taking the stage to share their vital work, insights, and resources with the group.
- Valuable Feedback: From tables lined with notes to post-it feedback and future event ideas, we gathered so much insight to help shape what comes next for WMCANN.
- A Tour of Sense TouchBase Pears: Attendees also enjoyed exploring the fantastic accessible facilities and sensory spaces at our host venue.
What’s Next?
For those who attended, keep an eye on your inbox! We will be following up with the presentation slides, the attendee contact list to help you stay connected, and details on upcoming sessions.
Thank you to everyone who came along, contributed, and made our first WMCANN event such an uplifting success. Together, we are building a stronger, better-connected network for families across the region.
Interested in joining the network or finding local services? Visit https://www.cann-network.org or get in touch at westmidlands@cann-network.org.
