I am Chloe, I am an aspiring play-write, and I’ve only ever seen 2 performances.

Whenever you read a guide on playwriting, the first piece of advice is always “go and see as much theatre as possible”
 
So I have found myself stuck.
 
I am extremely sensitive to sound, so can only go to see relaxed performances.
 
A relaxed performance is where alterations are made to sound and light, strobe lighting and sound effects or music are removed or reduced in impact. In addition, chill-out zones are at the front of the theatre if you need to take some time away from the performance. The content of the performance is unchanged.
 
I noticed that there was a considerable lack of relaxed performances in Devon, which means I have to travel across country to see theatre. Although there is sufficient provision for BSL, Captioned and touch tours, relaxed performances seem to have less than their accessible performance counterparts.
 
Another thing I have noticed is that the majority of relaxed performances I have come across are aimed at children. This does not provide for adults with labels who seek complex, nuanced and in depth narratives.
 
I have been working with Abi to contact theatres across the country to discuss their access programmes (some have better programmes than others) and have managed to secure a meeting with a local theatre.
 
We will also be working towards ensuring that there are more BSL, captioned and touch tours where there are gaps in provisions in certain theatres.
 
Royal Shakespeare Company have recently instigated Chilled Performances, which have a relaxed atmosphere but do not remove sound effects, strobes or turn down potentially loud music. The audience is instead given a sheet indicating where these things occur as a guidance. I feel that this would be beneficial for some people and am aiming to raise this possibility with more theatres.
 
We have noticed that different theatres will focus primarily on one area of access. There is no unified group consensus on equalling out accessible performances and access.
 
Our end goal is to make theatre much more accessible for all, not just performances but also the actual spaces.
 
Written by Chloe Llewellyn, Published by Dominic Palfreman

#tttp #inclusive #acessibleperformances #accessibility #theatre #relaxedperformances #BSLperformances #captionedperformances #chilledperformances #touchtours #accessibletheatre  #equalaccess #cic #socialmodelapproach #community #southdevon #devon #southwest #access

We knew that setting out to establish an Open Orchestra in a main stream school would lead to some questions and present some challenges. We think that both of those things are useful.  Arguably, some young people who attend main stream school and receive learning support are as excluded, maybe even more excluded, from the opportunity to join an orchestra than those in "special schools". Some of the barriers are the same, some are different, but ultimately inclusion is inclusion and equal access is equal access.
 
Our first term has perhaps enabled us to formulate some questions:
 
What is an orchestra?  What does being a member of that orchestra look like? What is an instrument? What is repertoire? What is original work? What is performance?
 
What is open? What is inclusive?
 
And maybe none of these questions have or need a right answer, maybe the answers should be open – maybe that is inclusion.
 
Some thoughts from the conversation Dominic, Tom and Lucy had with the group in this week’s after-school session:
 
 
What’s an Orchestra?
A large collection of instrumentalists, bigger than a band, playing a selected piece.     Having listened to a range of repertoire and been particularly interested in John Cage’s 4’3’’ ... maybe an orchestra is more than that, maybe it can extend to include "the audience" and people who aren’t sat with an instrument.  
 
What’s an instrument?
A thing that makes a sound that you can control.
 
Is Clarion an instrument?
Yes.
 
What orchestral instruments would you like to include/ explore in our piece?
Violin, flute, trumpet, cello.
 
Pieces and ideas that got a positive reaction:
In the hall of the mountain king, James Bond – Dr. No, Supermario theme (could we orchestrate it?).
 
Could we change these sessions to happen during a school day?
No, if it was timetabled time yr 10-11 wouldn’t be able to attend and if it was at lunch time it would only be 45mins and we’d have to skip lunch.  After school means more people can chose to join in.
 
We’re really pleased with how this is unfolding… more to come next term…

Written by Jane Williams, Published by Dom Palfreman

Inclusion is not a check-list of tick-box indicators or a job title.

Inclusion is a principle that runs through every moment, heart beat and decision.

Inclusion is not a one size fits all ‘Best Practise’ manual.

Inclusion is a respectfulness that encourages individual approaches.

Inclusion is not an assumption of expertise. Inclusion is an openness to listening.

Inclusion does not impose a pecking order of the disenfranchised. Inclusion includes everyone, equally.

Inclusion is not about individual reputation or status. Inclusion is about justice. 

Who are the experts?

Witten byJane Williams, Published by Dom Palfreman

Inclusion and Diversity – On the right track
 
Today, TTTP attended The Department of Transports Inclusion and Diversity week launch event/conference, at The Department of Transport in London. We were kindly invited by Richard Burningham from Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership and Great Western Railway (GWR) kindly provied our travel tickets to attend and be involved in the coming together of transport organisations across the country – primarily rail organisations and community organisations.
 
This is not the first time we have been to an ‘Inclusion’ event. However, it is the first time that have attended an ‘Inclusion’ event directly associated with the transport sector.
 
There were several organisations and representatives there, and stories of ‘Inclusion’ were shared by 3 of them - an hour was spent listening to the speakers and watching the videos they had prepared. This included people working on the platforms beautifying the gardens (not too dissimilar to what we have been doing at the Crediton Station platform) whilst recovering from drug abuse, a graffiti project in Bristol to make the platform attractive and part of the community and a project to make the rail more accessible to people with Dementia – focusing on training staff and making it a more welcoming place.
 
There was also talk about making carriages more accessible, and a team of 1000 people being a part of this – this included people with and without labels, seemingly primarily focused on people physically disabled by the carriages… but very little talk about people with ‘learning disability’ or ‘autism’ labels and how they access the transport.
 
Going forward, signage was briefly discussed, making it more accessible to (not just disabled people) people in general. If signage is good, it should be accessible to as many people as possible. We took the opportunity to share our SmallTalk approach with some of the MDs there who were discussing the issue of signage and the opportunities to improve it when platforms are renovated/painted.
 
Often, ‘Inclusion’ events are more about celebrating what has been achieved and the small successes (which are steps in the right direction), and not so much about going forward and what steps need to be taken next; a plan of action and a group effort. It will be interesting to see how the week progresses and what opportunities are created as we all work together to turn our country’s infrastructure into a more inclusive network that connects communities.
 
To the organisations that were there (and those that could not attend) – our expert trainers and evaluation team are always willing to be a part of creating an inclusive rail network if we are invited. Feel free to come to our Tea Rooms on the Tarka Line, Crediton Train Station, if you want to have a chat. Alternatively, you’ll find us on social media, via email (theturningtidesproject@hotmail.com) or on the phone: 01363 772512.
 
Thank you for inviting us to be a part of your day.

Written by Dom Palfreman, Published by Dom Palfreman

Sam wrote a blog without even know she'd done it, you may have seen the 2 part post on Social Media - hopefully you didn't miss either half. Here's the 2 sections together in full, as Sam intended:

Today didn’t quite go to plan, but then when does anything? When I think a plan or situation isn’t going the way I intended it to I always smile and think of my favourite #Turningtidesbigband song “Missed my Station” you can find lots of our songs on soundcloud.

Today we visited Crediton and had coffee whilst chatting to a new member of the team who will be doing some 1-1 support. We then went to Exeter to have a bumble around Sports Direct and the big Tesco’s- not much of a selection regarding items desired. Yet again plans may change- it’s sometimes good though as it pushes those little desires to keep things safe.

We finished up in the Sawyers Arms, quite a busy pub, not expensive and really nice staff. Saw a parent I’ve recently come to know, and the conversation of school cropped up - (now the photo may begin to make sense) only to find out how awful it had been for her children. I know from experience it can be one of the best and yet one of the worst times of your life as pupil or parent pushing you through every hurdle or boundary you may hold up.

So Roger and I spoke about school in the 50’s and 60’s a time when Labels weren’t really known and about how it’s changed in the last 30 years. Things have moved on slightly, unfortunately there will always be bullying- which is sad but true. Knowing how to deal with it is the hardest thing. It really doesn’t matter if you have a visual or non-visual label, different skin colour, if your a different size, if you’re an outsider, don’t have parents, use visual aids to help you or whatever it maybe someone may find a way to use it against you. I wonder if we all started to educate everyone around us how much of an impact it would have on society as a whole- whatever it maybe?

So If ‘disability’ is created by society, then surely we can each do something that contributes to changing that!

I wonder how the headmasters/headmistress’s of 50’s/60’s would have done things differently if a ‘disability’ had been addressed or recognised.

Would society have had a better understanding? Would there be have been more equal access? More differentiation? More inclusion? We are now starting to see these things happening more and more, as a parent I really wish it could’ve happened a lot sooner.

Since being with #TTTP I’m seeing this become a reality- it is happening. Society is beginning to understand. Which is why we have a flexible timetable with lots of fantastic sessions that you can see and get an idea of what we can do but you can also give your ideas.

We also have #epicenabling with differentiated levels of 1-1 support. Plus we have the tearooms up and running because we believe that in an #inclusive environment everyone can and does make valuable contributions. Being #inclusive means everyone is equal and included, which in turn means that they achieve, gain the confidence to interact,  follow through and get an end result.
#bethechange #seethechange #makethechange

Written by Sam Perkins, Published by Dom Palfreman

Thank you (in no particular order) to the staff, volunteers and businesses that have supported us to get the Tea Rooms open and back to being a part of the community - a big thank you to RGB, ReFurnish, Eakers, CS Engineering, Ashgroves, Crediton Garden Centre, Jewsons and more!

We hope you enjoy the cake and hope to see you soon for cream tea or to book a meeting or training space!

#Inclusive in action. Created by our Community for the Community.

this a tiny part of what we do, and it wouldn't be possible without the effort of volunteers, skilled workers and our Happening Makers

Keep your eyes open and your ears to the ground for our forthcoming 'thank you song', our menu, online room booking and hire AND MORE

Written and Published by Dom Palfreman

We’re opening the tea rooms to create a wonderful opportunity to invite the community to join us. A beautiful space where people can relax, volunteer; pass through or stay a while and enjoy some tasty food.
 
We want to build a space that creates equal opportunities by providing supported employment and volunteering roles.
 
We very much want everyone to have equal access and the same opportunities - I have a saying, which I very strongly believe in, “that our prime purpose in life is to help others” - what else are we here for?
 
TTTP were an absolute lifeline when we moved from Essex a year ago, we didn’t have anyone and turned to them, and they have been amazing. My daughter has flourished with the wonderful support, tolerance and understanding they have given her. We need to support each other, so we can all lead happy meaningful lives in a safe #Inclusive environment.
 
We all have different strengths and together we can create something wonderful and unique - there’s nothing better for mental well-being than having a purpose in life.
Everyone deserves an opportunity and chance to be who they want. We all need a purpose in life, we all need something or someone to care about and a reason to get up every morning!

Written by Emma Martin, Published by Dom Palfreman and Jennifer

I was given a booklet from my school, each day I had a new task. Monday- “make a cup of tea for a co-worker”. Tuesday - “engage in conversation”. I Stopped reading at Wednesday, simply a waste of time. All I can say is that I’ve experienced a lot more than that! When I was told to find my work experience placement the last thing I wanted was to spend a long week behind a desk, and this is the polar opposite of that.
 
Monday, I spent the day at Crealy with Abi and Bill. It was rather tiering chasing after him all day, went on the log flume so many times we may as well have just stayed on. It was great, and we made the most of the water rides in the sun!
 
On Tuesday I went to the media session and then the sports session in the afternoon, this made me realise that everyone is very capable of everything that I could do, as long as anyone has the right support they can succeed in anything.
 
Thursday, I went to the craft session in the tea rooms, we were making a massive rag rug. Everyone worked as a team to: cut fabrics into long strips, others plaited them, and some held onto the ends and pulled them tight to make it easy to work efficiently. Then we spent the evening in the pub. It was great to get to know everyone.
 
On Friday I went to the music session, we were rehearsing for an upcoming gig the band were playing at, we had a range of different instruments and singers. I also joined in with helping to give back to the community by painting a fence that was in deep need of refurbishment.
 
I really enjoyed this week with The Turning Tides Project, it really opened my eyes to making our society more equal and accessible and how important that is. I have met some amazing people that have made my work experience unforgettable. Thank you.

Written by Rosie Hargreaves, Published by Jennifer

On the 4th of August, we are are opening the Crediton Tearooms near Crediton railway station. We will be celebrating the opening day by putting on an open mic day. It starts at 12.00 pm, until about 5.30 pm. This event will be free to enter.
 
There will be performances from people from the Turning Tides Project, and we invite anyone to bring an instrument (or their voice!) and join in with us. If you aren’t all that musical, then you are welcome to read some poetry or tell a joke or two! Otherwise, you can come along and be part of audience.
 
We have created an event page on Facebook so that you can keep up to date on details of the event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/177882636237321/
 
You can also find our Facebook page here for future events and other things that are happening with the Turning Tides Project:
 
https://www.facebook.com/TheTurningTidesProjectCIC
 
Here is the address where the event will be taking place:
 
Station Tea Rooms,
Crediton Railway Station,
Station Rd,
Crediton
EX17 3BY
 
Directions to the above address are easily found through Google Maps.
 
We look forward to seeing you there!

Written by Tom Burns and Luke Manwaring, Published by Dom Palfreman and Jennifer

 An acronym that quite a lot of you would have heard thrown around recently. It stands for ‘General Data Protection Regulation’ and applies to all businesses in the EU from 25th May 2018. Which means it affects us! And that’s all good news!
 
It means that your data will be easier for you to track and for you to control and decide how it is used. Potentially, this means less junk mail! It also means that you’re probably (ironically) getting lots of emails currently from businesses that have you on their mailing lists that you’d totally forgotten about - I hadn’t realised that we were subscribed to so many newsletters about community meetings and second-hand instruments!
 
What this means for us: GDPR says you must obtain freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous consent from your contacts. You also must clearly explain how you plan to use their personal data.
 
I am emailing you for exactly these reasons, as you’re currently on our mailing list!
 
First off, thank you for being on our mailing list! The chances are we met you at a gig, maybe at one of our pop-up shops, a networking event, through social media or in response to one of our projects. Maybe we did your catering, you’re part of EPIC (Enabling Service), we delivered your training or you are one of our funders.
 
We send out Newsletters when there is News! We try to keep people up to date via Social Media and Blogs published on our Website, this means we will never send out vast numbers of Newsletters each month. Around 1 or 2 is enough. We want to keep you informed and invite you to be involved; we don’t want to drown you in unnecessary communication and scare you off! Honestly, we don’t want to send loads because we don’t want it to get boring for you!
 
We are, and always have been, very careful with people’s information. Receiving this email just means that you’re on our mailing list - the information kept on our mailing list is minimal and contains only the essentials. Just an email address, and in some cases your name. Every month we remove emails address from our mailing list so that we’re left with just the active emails. We will not pass on your information from the mailing list or use it for any other purpose other than receiving our Newsletter.
You will receive up to 3 more Newsletters before the 25th May 2018, if you have not re-subscribed by this point your information will be deleted from our mailing list.

If you want to subscribe to our Newsletter after midnight on the 24th May, you can always use the link on our 'Contact Us' page

Written and Published by Dom Palfreman