Festivals are for Everyone!
Camp Bestival showing how festivals can be accessible and inclusive for everyone regardless of abilities.
As a regular festival goer I was aware of the accessible camping field, disabled toilets and accessible viewing platforms, but it wasn’t until I was invited to teach yoga at the accessible filed in Camp Bestival Shropshire, that I realised how much thought and planning goes into making Festivals accessible to all.
Camp Bestival are a family festival and has been held in Dorset since 2004..
This year was the first time the festival had also been held in Weston Park, Shropshire
Camp Bestival has an accessibility policy and this ethos of inclusion cascades to all their staff, ensuring that the accessible camping field has a calm, friendly atmosphere where families can relax, enjoy themselves and make precious family memories.
The accessible camping field has pitches for tents and camper vans, options for electrical hook ups with parking close by for all. The toilets and shower facilities were available to meet the needs for all regardless of physical abilities. They were spotlessly clean.
At the entrance to the field are the security team, who meticulously checking wrist bands for authorised access. Members of the accessibility team were available 24hrs to assist with any queries. The field also had its own exclusive food stall.
Breakfast club created time for parents to prepare for the day whilst children had fun.
Within the Accessible camping field there was an exclusive activity programme, From Circus skills from Jimmy Juggle, Yoga (by myself) and organising priority times for activities within the main festival for paddle boarding and the biggest bouncy castle I have ever seen!
When the noise and fun of the festival became too much for anyone there were areas designated to chill out in the Kids and Slow motion zones. The Slow motion zone was set within the wonderful woodlands of Weston Park. Hidden within the trees were many calmer, less sensory intense participatory activities focusing on sound, nature and water based activities in the lake.
At the event stages there was British Sign Language Interpreters (BSL) as well as viewing platforms. Acts such as Mr Tumble brought much loved family entertainment and tested everyones Makaton animal signs.
Many families in the accessible field were regular Camp Bestival goers but for some families this was their first festival, or even meeting other families after extensive periods of self isolation. It was such a joyous experience sharing yoga with children, adults and siblings of various abilities. Seeing everyone enjoy themselves, hearing their laughter and feeling the sense of relaxation that came from everyone.
It was a privilege being invited to share yoga in the Accessible field at Camp Bestival. It brought fun and a sense of calm to those who joined. Some children already enjoyed yoga and flourished being invited to help me arrange the yoga games. Mums and Dads joined in and it became a family activity.
I would definitely return next year to share yoga and work with the accessibility team (if I am invited) and maybe I might even get have a go on the ‘biggest bouncy castle in the world’!
If you would like more information about Accessibility at Camp Bestival contact dorset@campbestival.net
Here’s to Camp Bestival 2023!
Lisa