FAMILIES FACING SERIOUS ILLNESS AND DISABILITY GIVEN A DAY TO FORGET THEIR WORRIES AT TUTANKHAMUN: THE IMMERSIVE EXHIBITION

Smiling Families Charity and Vibe25 Radio bring supported families together at Birmingham’s NEC on Wednesday 2 September.

Families living with serious and terminal illness, disability and life-changing circumstances were given the opportunity to put hospital appointments, treatment and everyday worries to one side as Smiling Families Charity and Vibe25 Radio brought their community together  for a special visit to the award winning Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition at the NEC Birmingham.

With award-winning exhibition and family entertainment promoter FKP Scorpio Entertainment as Event Partner, the visit brought supported families and volunteers together for something that can be incredibly difficult for many of them to achieve – a simple family day out.

For Smiling Families, however, “simple” days out can have an enormous impact.

The entirely volunteer-run charity supports families affected by serious and terminal illness, disability, bereavement and other life-changing circumstances. Alongside practical and emotional support, its volunteers run groups including Butterflies for families affected by bereavement and child loss, Wheelies for young wheelchair users and their families, Young Carers activities and men’s mental health support.A major part of the charity’s work is also creating opportunities for families to make memories together away from hospitals, appointments, caring responsibilities and the pressures that can dominate everyday life.

“FOR A FEW HOURS, THEY CAN JUST BE A FAMILY”

Paul “Shoresy” Martin, from Smiling Families Charity and Vibe25 Radio, said:
“People sometimes see a charity day out and think it’s simply tickets to an attraction. For the families we support, it can mean so much more.  Some live their lives around hospital appointments, treatment, disability or caring for somebody they love. Young carers can have responsibilities far beyond their years and parents can spend so much time worrying about what tomorrow will bring that opportunities to simply enjoy being together become incredibly precious.

“For a few hours we want illness and disability to take a back seat. We want Mum to be Mum, Dad to be Dad, children to be children and everyone to laugh, explore and make memories together.

“That’s what Smiling Families is all about – creating a smile when somebody needs one most. We’re enormously grateful to FKP Scorpio Entertainment, our Event Partner, for helping us give our families this experience. You cannot always change what a family is going through, but you can change what today looks like for them – and sometimes that’s incredibly powerful.”

VOLUNTEERS AT THE HEART OF THE DAY

The visit was also an opportunity to recognise the volunteers behind Smiling Families and Vibe25 Radio, who freely give their time to support families and their local community. Vibe25 Radio is a charity-led community radio station broadcasting through DAB, online, Alexa, iOS and radio apps, combining music and entertainment with a strong social purpose.

Its volunteer presenters and media team provide a platform for charities, community organisations and individuals whose voices and stories may otherwise struggle to be heard. Vibe25 also gives volunteers opportunities to develop broadcasting and media skills, friendships, confidence and a sense of belonging, demonstrating the positive role music and community can play in people’s lives.

Members of the Vibe25 media team were present at the NEC to document the visit and help tell the stories behind the people taking part.

THE BOY KING COMES TO LIFE IN BIRMINGHAM 
The families will experience the award-winning Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition, which has already welcomed more than 60,000 visitors in Birmingham and over 2.6 million people worldwide. The 2,000-square-metre experience takes visitors back more than 3,000 years into Ancient Egypt and the extraordinary story of its most famous Pharaoh.Combining huge 360-degree cinematic projections, a Virtual Reality journey into the afterlife, a free-roaming metaverse experience exploring Tutankhamun’s tomb, authentic artefacts and high-quality replicas, the experience brings the story, mystery and treasures of Tutankhamun dramatically to life. The must-visit experience is currently in its final days in Hall 11 of the NEC, with doors closing on 13 September 2026.