Music / disability
Making events accessible for all through new buddy scheme
A project helping disabled people enjoy different culture and arts events has launched in Bristol.
Starting in Brighton in 2013, Gig Buddies has now expanded to cities across the UK, and even to Australia.
The initiative will now launch in Bristol, and will be run by the Exchange in Old Market.
is needed now More than ever
“Access to events, and enabling and empowering everyone to be able to attend them is important everywhere,” says Iwan Best, Exchange’s venue manager. “Culture, arts and sport play such a huge role in Bristol’s identity and making it the city it is.”
Gig Buddies matches a disabled or autistic person who wants to attend events, such as music gigs, with a volunteer. The pair then meet once a month to plan what they’ll do together, and once a month to go to an event such as a gig, club night, theatre, or sports match.
The aim is to make accessibility a standard and not a goal. While Iwan says they are always consciously trying to make Exchange more accessible to all, they are excited to help make more venues in Bristol more accessible than they are currently.
Exchange is actively trying to make events more accessible.Photo: Exchange Bristol
The new scheme also has Idles’ bass player Adam Devonshire, known as Dev, among its patrons.
Gig Buddies came to Dev’s attention through his partner’s auntie, who uses the Gig Buddies service in Wales to attend events. He was instrumental in organising a Gig Buddies Fundraiser which helped raise enough money to launch Gig Buddies in Bristol, and also to support Gig Buddies in Wales.
“Dev has loads of experience of working on every side of events; as well as touring extensively with IDLES, he was also the manager at Exchange for several years, so he has a strong understanding of accessibility at shows and the difficulties and challenges that some people can face,” says Iwan.
“Dev’s support for us has been truly amazing and it’s difficult to imagine where this project would be without him, so we are incredibly proud to have him as our first patron!”
Dev (second from right) is a patron of the new scheme. Photo: Tom Haam
Volunteers and those seeking a buddy can apply now via Exchange’s website.
“We would love to see friendships forged, and to empower people to do more of the things they want to do,” Iwan says.
“If we can help make events accessible for just one person and help them do things they would like to do, we will be very happy!”
Main photo: Mike Evans
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