People flock to the first ever Festival of Togetherness

We woke up to warm sunshine on the 19th of May and headed to the Hornetye Sports Centre in Hastings for the first event of its kind - a festival which aimed to make people with complex disabilities and their families feel so welcome they would not want to leave. The hours leading up to the doors opening were a little fraught as there were signs being painted, objects of reference sought and many areas prepared. We had worked with a diverse group of local people prior to the event to be ready with our warmest hospitality and readiness to do whatever was needed to make people feel welcome and ready to join in with whatever they were drawn to. We had worked with local speech and language therapists who are passionate about 'total communication' so we were integrating our thinking around togetherness with information and inspiration about communication and interaction.

The result took our breath away - the only problem we had was a lack of physical space in some areas as so many people came from all around. People took part in the Decoda music gym, sensory zone, drumming and movement, reiki and massage, one to one interaction, art, kite flying and connecting with the horse who was an expert at togetherness! Most importantly people seemed to be able to relax - picnics and ease were the order of the day. We ended a memorable day with a ritual of appreciation and couldn't help wondering if more had been achieved through this fully inclusive space than, at times changes as the result of the shiniest of conferences where their often isn't a person with disabilities in sight!

As a result of the event we are now imagining a Togetherness Kite and Music festival and Festivals of Togetherness in other towns and citiies across the UK.

Please call us on 01273 204932 to find out more and to tell us about your own dreams for togetherness in your community.