Disability Event Awarded National Accreditation

A North-East music festival aimed at including people of all abilities has been given the stamp of approval by a national charity following its success over the last three years.

Chase Park Music Festival, which takes place every year in Whickham, has become the first outdoor festival in the UK to be awarded a Silver Accreditation by Attitude is Everything for being an arts event that is accessible and inclusive for deaf and disabled people.

The free annual festival is run by Keiro, a local healthcare provider that specialises in the rehabilitation and care of people with acquired brain and spinal injuries as well as long term neurological conditions.

Thousands of people were treated to the sounds of some of the region’s finest artists at Chase Park Music Festival in August, which aims to break down barriers and stereotypes associated with people with disabilities. The community-oriented festival uses music as the foundation to get people from all walks of life together.

Attitude is Everything improves deaf and disabled people’s access to live music by working in partnership with audiences, artists and the music industry to implement a Charter of Best Practice access the UK.

Suzanne Bull, chief executive officer at Attitude is Everything, said: “I’m delighted that Chase Park is the first festival in the UK to achieve the Silver Level of the Charter of Best Practice.

“The event is a shining example to all festivals of what they can aspire to in terms of improving their access for both Deaf and disabled customers and artists.”

Chase Park Neuro Centre is part of Keiro (formally Whickham Villa), which is a North- East based healthcare company that has been in the region for over 25 years. Its clients are involved in the festival as part of their rehabilitation programmes. It is recognised as one of the UK’s leading neuro-rehabilitation facilities and an expert in ‘step forward rehabilitation’ that aims to help people to regain and then retain their independence.

Alistair McDonald, festival organiser and business development director at Keiro, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been recognised in this way as it’s such a great accolade, given it comes from the Attitude is Everything who are the UK’s best practice organisation relating to live music events.

“After the success of the last three years, we know next year’s event will be even bigger and better. Needless to say but we have our sights improving the event to achieve the Gold standard of the Charter.”

“We are looking forward to working in partnership with Attitude is Everything next year to try and ensure many more festivals can become more accessible regardless of disability.”

The Gateshead-based company, which originally started life as a care home back in 1987, now primarily supports and rehabilitates people with long-term neurological conditions. It has been renamed to Keiro to reflect the change of work carried out by its team at its award-winning facility and to enable future growth.

The rehabilitation, care and well-being expert is an approved provider with Headway – the national brain injury association and shares close ties with several other charitable organisations that include Arthritis Care, the MS Society and the North East Motor Neurone Disease Trust.

The Attitude is Everything Charter Award is in 3 stages – Bronze, Silver and Gold. The organisation supports music venues and festivals to create a realistic action plan in order to work through each level of the Charter by demonstrating an ongoing commitment to improving their accessibility and by going beyond the Equality Law and achieving Best Practice.