A group of a families walk towards the camera along a gravel path. There is grass either side of the path and tall green trees behind them,

get creative outdoors!

Events For Families with a Visually Impaired Child or Parent

sATURDAY 18TH MAY 2024
CRICKLEY HILL, GLOUCESTER

MONDAY 5TH AUGUST 2024
Stratford park, stroud

After a brilliant programme of events last year, we are looking forward to more creative fun exploring the outdoors in 2024 – thanks to funding from National Lottery Community Fund!

 

Following two events already this year, we are off to Stratford Park Sensory Garden in Stroud for the next event on Monday 5th August. 

 

These events are for families with a visually impaired child or parent. The recommended age for children is 7-14 years. The day is for the whole family to enjoy, so younger and older siblings are welcome too! 

Walking & exploring

  • Taking part in nature inspired music, music & writing activities
  • Enjoy creative and mindful time as a family
  • Meet other families in safe, supportive environment

Join us on a unique adventure where you will:

  • Connect with nature at Crickley Hill Country Park
  • Have fun walking and exploring in the woods
  • Take part in music, movement & writing activities with Holly, Louise & Zariq, and make your own performance!
  • Have free time as a family
  • Finish the day with a drink from the cafe
  • Social time to meet & connect with other local families

Interwoven with audio description, the events are co-designed with Visually Impaired dance artist and facilitator, Holly Thomas

Watch a short film (below) showing some of the best bits from a previous event!

what can you expect?

There will be different activities on offer which cater for both younger and older children, and activities that the whole family can do together.

 

Artists, Holly, Louise & Zariq, will support you to create your own ideas and join in with the group. As well as meeting other children and families, you’ll have time for your own exploring. 

 

Children taking part are invited to:

  • Communicate what works / doesn’t work for them as a visually impaired participant,
  • Interact and engage with the other children (sometimes in smaller groups to cater for different ages)
  • Make creative choices independently, with their families and the whole group.

RECENT FEEDBACK FROM FAMILIES

“She has have very limited contact with others who are visually impaired, so this event really reassured her that she isn’t the only one!”

“The audio description made the performance come to life more for her (child) but as a dyslexic adult it did the same for me too.”

“It was great to stop and just focus on spending time together.”

“It was a very happy, relaxed day & a lovely opportunity meet other VI families in a pressure free setting.”

VENUE & pRACTICAL DETAILS

  • All events take place 10:30am – 3:30pm
  • This is an ongoing project, you can join the events you’re able to attend.
  •  Free time at lunch. Families usually bring a picnic or buy food from on site cafe and spend some time relaxing or doing more exploring!
  • We end the day with a hot/cold drink from the cafe (provided by us). We like the hot chocolate with marshmallows & cream! 
  • Travel bursaries are available upon request. Please let us know if this would be helpful for you. 
  • Events are free to attend. Supporter payments are optional – any income raised goes back into the project and future activities.

Saturday 18th May, 10:30am – 3:30pm

  • Crickey Hill Country Park, Crickley Hill, Birdlip, Gloucester GL4 8JY. Here is a link to venue and accessibility information on the National Trust website. 
  • Parking is available on site – £2 payment required.
  • We’ll spend most of the in the Learning Area, which is not open to the public. It is big enough to do lots of exploring, with gates to ensure safety for for any younger ones joining us!

Monday 5th August 2024.

  • Sensory Garden & Stratford Park, Stroud, GL5 4AF. Here is some information about the Sensory Garden.
  • Free parking with accessible spaces.
  • We’ll spend most of the in the Sensory Garden and in a nearby area of Stratford Park. 

how to get involved

If you and your family are interested, we would love to hear from you and talk more about it!  

 

Contact Michelle:

Phone: 07870 998481

Email: thevelcrocollective@gmail.com

 

If you like, we can have a chat about what you can expect from the event so you can make sure it is right for you. 

 

We look forward to hearing from you!

BACKGROUND

For the past 4 years, we have been working with Holly to create outdoor experiences in nature for visually impaired and sighted children and their families. Holly’s lived experience has been the fundamental starting point when we have been creatively exploring the best way to describe dance performance for visually impaired audiences. (More about Holly in the audio clip below)

 

Holly has worked as a lecturer in performing arts for the RNIB and has taught dance to visually impaired adults and young people. She is also a member of the Bristol Sight Loss Council, Arts and Leisure sub-group.

More broadly, our company and our work have over 25 years in working with inclusive groups from children and young people to adults, disabled people, people with mental health conditions and people with complex needs.

Photo of artist, Holly Thomas, stood in a forest clearing and talking to someone. She is wearing bright yellow trousers with sunglasses on her head.

more information

For more information, you can:

this project is supported by

Logo, National Lottery Community Fund