Podcast exploring Bristol from the perspective of visually impaired people to launch

City of Threads, a new, immersive podcast, is launching on Thursday, March 25.

Created by Horfield-based PECo Theatre with a team of both visually impaired and sighted artists and participants, City of Threads invites listeners to explore Bristol in a new perspective.

The 12-part series, which has received support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arnolfini, Pervasive Media Studio, Vision West of England and the Sight Loss Council, gives a platform to often unheard voices.

Led by Holly Thomas, a visually impaired dance artist, and Rachel Aspinwall, artistic director at PECo Theatre, the podcast has been almost two years in the making.

“I think that artistic projects that are truly inclusive and co-created and that bring together communities of people, whose histories and stories are often unheard, to collaborate as part of a team of artists and creatives, have the potential to make work that is rich, new and vibrant,” says Holly, who lives in east Bristol and features in one of the episodes.

“Our City of Threads podcast invites listeners to immerse themselves in the journeys, stories and lived experiences of our VI (visually impaired) travellers and, as they listen to each episode, to rediscover the city.”

City of Threads began in-person, but later moved online. Photo: PECo Theatre

Lou Lifely, who lives in Cotham, also features in one of the 12 episodes and says that creating the podcast has been “amazing”, despite the difficulties presented by lockdown.

“The work of the various technicians was quite remarkable,” says Lou, who is one of the core devising group and a visually impaired person. “We made the podcasts during lockdown, which frankly was a God send!

“It was actually fortunate for us that we had the podcasts to carry us through. Remote meetings, although not ideal, made it possible to continue the work we had started before lockdown one.”

Meetings between the VI and sighted groups, who worked together to make the series, had to stop in March 2020. The group instead explored using a range of accessible online spaces, recording interviews, conversations and meeting via Zoom for the last year of the series’ creation.

“City of Threads does some great myth busting about the abilities and capabilities of visually impaired people,” says Lou. “A project like this allows an original and creative way to explore and reveal some issues in the relationship between the city and its citizens.

“During the journeys, not only do you explore the geography, history and interesting places in the city but also the variety of brilliant ways that VI people navigate its streets. Stories from the journey takers lives are shared, a mixture of personal highs and lows but most are resounding positivity!

“Ultimately, I feel the goal is to realise the richness and complexities of the city while allowing a fuller, more sustainable and inclusive environment for all its citizens.”

The project has been almost two years in the making. Photo: PECo Theatre

Nikki Durston, another co-host, says the project “gives a fascinating insight into the lives of visually impaired people, and how we navigate the city, presented in an imaginative way”.

The 53-year-old, who lives in Brentry adds: “We wanted to share the stories and highlight the themes, but in a way that would really bring the listener right into the story.

It also highlights areas where city planning could do with a few adjustments to make navigating the streets easier for visually impaired people.”

Together, the group of 20 have recorded sensory discoveries, navigational intricacies, challenges and dangers all remotely, in DIY sound booths.

“A project like this allows an original and creative way to explore and reveal some issues in the relationship between the city and its citizens,” says Lou.

“I think everyone who listens to these podcasts, whether sighted or VI will be able to identify and feel a resonance with many of the stories, subjects and issues that the episodes present.”

Main photo: PECo Theatre

Read more: Exploring Bristol from the perspective of visually impaired people