Enabling Spaces – Training for Venue Staff

Most cultural venues are keen to welcome disabled, learning disabled, and autistic young people and their families. Families who access our events tell us they often think twice about going to a venue for a number of reasons. They’re afraid of not feeling welcome, having inappropriate seats, feeling uncomfortable if they need to leave the space, being embarrassed if their child makes a noise or needs to move around or not having the right facilities to change – and the list goes on.

Enable your venue and your staff to welcome audiences who have multiple access barriers by booking this training session. We’ll bring a senior Bamboozle facilitator and a parent of a disabled and/or autistic child to your venue to explain how we create enabled spaces for our audiences and answer any questions your team may have.

Who’s the training for?

Any member of your team who will come into contact with the public, face to face, on the phone or via print including:

• Front of house staff
• Box Office
• Admin teams
• Marketing
• Participation team

Course content

We have 30 years of experience working with children, young people, their families and schools. We’ll share this knowledge along with research that’s informed our work over the years including the social model of disability and ableism.

The course will include:

• The family context. You’ll hear how a parent prepares their disabled or autistic child for a trip out of the house, from the time they awake in the morning to the moment they arrive at the venue. These stories give all of us an insight into what a massive commitment it is to participate in days out.
• What structures and approaches that are helpful – including staffing, facilities, entrances, exits and parking provision.
• What you might ask on the phone when a person says “My child is disabled” or “My child is autistic”
• Questions you may be asked by a person bringing a disabled or autistic child to your venue.
• Accessible ways to welcome a disabled or autistic child to your venue on arrival
• Any questions that are specific to your venue or your staff

What theatre staff say is valuable about Bamboozle’s training:

“Getting a real feel for how challenging it can be for a family to even arrive at the theatre.” Helen Lound, Warwick Arts Centre

“Gained confidence in an approach to disabilities.” A. Ubhi, The Castle

Dates, venues and fees

These courses usually take place at specific venues by arrangement so please get in touch with our Education & Training Project Manager Natalie at natalie@bamboozletheatre.co.uk.