August 2023

44
Wanstead Village Directory
This ability
The Disability Awareness Festival returns to Wanstead this month.
Designed by people with disabilities, it’s the only fully accessible and
inclusive festival in the borough, says Suzanne Wright
Each summer, Redbridge Council,
together with charity partners One
Place East, Uniting Friends and
Redbridge Forum, as well as Vision, brings
the annual Disability Awareness Festival to
Christ Church Green in Wanstead.
Supported by local estate agents The Stow
Brothers, the festival aims to promote people’s
abilities and talents, challenge stigma and
raise awareness of the support available to
those with disabilities and to help them live
full and independent lives. It attracts people
from across Redbridge and beyond.
The festival has grown in size year on year, and
this year is looking to be bigger and better
than ever. There will be information stalls from
charities and other organisations who are
here to help people with physical or cognitive
disabilities or mental ill health. There will also
be workshops including mindfulness, arts and
crafts, circus skills and more. Alongside these
will be sports, food stalls and our main stage,
which will be filled with talented singers from
local services and beyond. This year, there
will also be a fashion show, featuring creative
designs from people attending relevant
day services. Festivalgoers will be able to
contribute to the fashion show as well, by
designing their own clothes along the theme
of climate change, showcasing their work on
Wanstead’s own catwalk in the heart of Christ
Church Green.
What makes this festival different is that
it is the only fully accessible and inclusive
festival in the borough. No matter what a
person’s ability, this is the only festival which
truly understands what people need as it
is designed by people with disabilities. It
features comedians, artists and musicians
with a range of different abilities and
provides information on how people can
live independent and healthy lives. It is also
the only festival in Redbridge to feature fully
accessible facilities, including toilets, hoists
and washing facilities for those who need
extra support. This year, based on feedback
from previous attendees, there will also be a
dedicated time out space for those who may
need to take a break for a little while, which
can be particularly helpful for those with
autism or other forms of neurodiversity.
Margaret Summers, chief executive of One
Place East, said: “This is an important event
in the One Place East diary. People using
our services look forward to taking part in
the planning, preparation and delivery. It is
truly an inclusive and lively event. Apart from
people showcasing skills and talents, it also
gives the opportunity to meet friends old and
new, find out what is available in Redbridge,
check out equipment and gadgets to aid
independent living, to try out new activities,
and most importantly, to have a fun-filled day
where you can be yourself. Truly worth a visit.”
The Disability Awareness Festival 2023
will take place on Christ Church Green on
9 August from 12 noon to 7pm. For more
information, visit wnstd.com/thisability
To advertise, call 020 8819 6645 or visit wnstd.com