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Who we are:

Geofest is a small unincorporated association that was set up in 2004 to promote activities and facilities for teenagers, those excluded from the mainstream of society and those with disabilities to come and enjoy outdoor gatherings and festivals, particularly those with an ecological and “green” bias to their work. By 2005 it was clear that we needed to develop the disability support side of the work, as we were getting more and more enquiries. The first supported area we ran was at the Big Green Gathering in 2005 – and within a few hours the field had been named by its volunteer crew as GAMA - Green Access and Mobility Area. From these beginnings our work has grown and developed, strongly influenced by the suggestions and experiences of our visitors.

 

What GAMA does:

We promote inclusion, not separation.  GAMA areas are a positive, artistic and creative part of the festival community. We provide the facilities and support for those with disabilities to be able to integrate fully within the festival experience. We generally have set up a dedicated GAMA area within a festival site, but which can be used by all on site who need the facilities it provides. We have extended our work to promoting awareness and practical changes in all areas of festivals where we work.  These include cafes, campaigns, stalls, performance venues, workshops, and activities for children. GAMA is ecologically and environmentally aware – sustainability and “green” issues are at our core.  GAMA has a commitment to the environment to encourage zero wastage, recycling, energy conservation and sustainability.   GAMA takes note of the Legal duties of festival organisers and sub-contractors.  All events in the UK are now covered by the Disability Discrimination Act, 1995 (DDA) which requires “reasonable adjustments” to be made to provide access.  Local authorities also now have a legal duty to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities - this has implications for the licensing of events.

 

Who we work with:

Festival Organisers - We will work with any outdoor gathering or festival as long as it shows a true commitment to improving access.   Ideally we are involved with the organisers from the initial planning and licence application stages, and will see it through to the conclusion.   We can provide information for festival organisers on essential equipment, such as wide access showers, toilets and washing facilities for crew and visitors.   We can work with the festival planners to help them understand the unavoidable geography of the site, its physical features and help provide safe routes for all.     We also encourage festival organisers to put clear and the most useful information in all their publicity, so people with disabilities can properly prepare for the event.  Ideally we are involved and consulted about all aspects of the event including leaflets, website, tickets and concessions, siting of GAMA field, transport, parking, emergency planning, and safety.     A commitment to site wide access means that each person responsible for managing an area or service should incorporate the needs of people with disabilities into their plans, publicity and crew briefings.  We can help with this. We can advise festivals on their approach to people with disabilities- e.g. helping cafes, venues, stalls, and event areas make their setups more inclusive. We can run training sessions for site managers, stewards, stallholders and venue operators.   GAMA can, by arrangement, provide an information phone line and email for those with further enquiries about the ticketing and facilities at the festival.     Festival crew, visitors and artists - GAMA welcomes all visitors, crew, performers and artists who would benefit from our services, their families, friends and carers.    GAMA provides a crew of trained and experienced volunteer staff to assist people in the GAMA area and in other parts of the festival (such as beside viewing platforms as necessary).  We recruit trained signers for workshop, speaker’s forums, etc.   By talking through on the information line beforehand any specific medical or support needs of visitors, we can ensure that the right equipment and facilities are available.    

 

Who we do not work with:

We believe that nobody should have to tolerate harassment, bullying, racism or other forms of discrimination.  We will support any of our visitors of crew to report incidents and expect firm action to be taken by the festival organisers. GAMA does NOT provide personal or medical care for its visitors.  We expect festival organisers to plan on site and emergency medical services. We do not hire out or lend equipment such as wheelchairs. Child protection issues will not be dealt with – these will be passed to welfare and the child protection officers on site. We do not offer on site childcare.  Children need to be well supervised at all times by their own family or on site support networks.   GAMA will use and expect a positive response from the other on site services such as Welfare, Medical, and First Aid. Lost Kids, Security etc.  Some children/adults do have ADHA, [attention deficit/ hyperactivity] autism and Aspergers.  The onus of responsibility must be on their parents/carers.  For children and adults who are especially vulnerable we recommend that two parents/ carers accompany them.   Mental health is not an access need. For some people whose disability does not limit their mobility a designated quiet camping or family area may be more suitable.

 

What we have achieved so far:

We have been running for three years, and each year we are growing.   We have had in excess of 1000 people and their families’ camp with us, and thoroughly enjoy the experience.  Because we provide a unique service both our visitors and the festival organisers respond very positively.  We have enabled many people with disabilities to fully participate in festival life, in a way that they were not able to do so before GAMA arrived on the scene.

 

What we want to achieve:

 

  1.  A safe and supportive GAMA field and community within every festival in the UK.   GAMA should be looked upon as a professional consultancy service, as well as a pragmatic and fun practical organisation.
  2. A year round interactive GAMA website community that is made up of GAMA visitors, festival organisers, artists, and festival workers who see how important our work is.
  3. A bank of information packs and leaflets for festivals and outdoor events; and a resource of trained and experienced GAMA workers who can continue to advise improvements.
  4. A continual training and support network for festival crews, GAMA stewards and support staff.
  5. A campaigning arm of the organisation that can continue to press for improved access facilities at festivals.
  6. To be economically sustainable and self-financing.

 

 

Standards:

We work towards “best practice” in all of our work.   All our crew are CRB enhance checked and have experience in working with disabilities.  We have a programme of ongoing training, support and supervision for all of our team.  We encourage the learning of new skills and support our volunteers in taking up further training and more responsibility within their roles.