Green Access & Mobility Areas - GAMA

We had two main sources of funding:

The Big Green Gathering itself; and a grant from Awards for All towards our facilities, access and events.  We used this money to improve opportunities for people with disabilities and special needs to come and camp in the GAMA field and enjoy all that the BGG has to offer - environmental education, green discussions and forums, socially aware artists and performers, and our own team of accredited healers.   This year the grant enabled us to not only focus on support within the GAMA field, but also to extend to a site-wide remit of provision and support. 

What did we provide?

GAMA crew:

All our crew are volunteers. We camped in the GAMA field so could offer a lot of informal support to welcome visitors and run the coffee bar, children’s activities and entertainments.

Signs and maps:

Members of a Bristol youth group made signs and a tactile map for the GAMA field. They visited us to see them in use and to enjoy the BGG. EDAS Designs, which organises paid work for people with learning disabilities, made laminated A4 maps and signs.

Programme:

The designer of the BGG programme made sure that the layout and lettering was as clear as possible.  Two A3 large print copies were made, one for us and one for the Information Tent.  We were also gaven laminated large print copies of the daily programme.  Green Radio persuaded most of the co-ordinators to record their sessions on the programme on CD. 

Helpline for individuals:

Our co-ordinator ran a telephone helpline for people considering coming to the Big Green Gathering.  He made advance arrangements for oxygen delivery and storage and arranged early arrival for four people with visual impairments to give them time for orientation before other visitors arrived.

Site-wide access:

We briefed all the area co-ordinators and directors and sent out our own leaflets on access to many of the cafes, stalls and campaigns.