There’s much to celebrate at this years GREEN MAN FESTIVAL – it’s their 21st birthday for one, and now the team has been awarded Gold Charter by charity ‘Attitude is Everything’, for improving access to music for those with extra learning needs and disabilities.
The festival really is one of those special events, with a reputation for being non-corporate and incredibly ethical, it can rightly call itself one of the most successful festivals in South Wales. It’s already multi-award winning and has been given ‘major event’ status by the Welsh Government due to the festival’s positive impact and wealth creation.
The Attitude Is Everything charity focuses on connecting disabled people with music and live event industries to improve access together. They’ve been working with industry professionals and disabled people since 2000 to break down barriers. Their vision is that disabled people have chances and for the creative industries to give opportunities that previous generations never had.
Suzanne is the founder of the charity, you can read her, and their story HERE.
After previously being awarded a Silver charter, Green Man’s continued dedication to improving accessibility has been recognised as it is now a Gold charter event.
It is the first Welsh music festival to achieve Gold status. With a dedicated campsite close to the main arena, with dedicated showers, toilets, and a 24-hour covered charging point for power chair batteries, Green Man hopes to ensure that live music in the heart of Wales is accessible for all those who want to enjoy it.
Green Man has implemented initiatives such as:
· Erecting a new respite tent, for those who need a quiet space during the festival
· 2023 is the first year there will be a British Sign Language (BSL) provision for the Mountain stage headliners (the top three acts every day) as well as for Ceri Ann Arian’s performance
· There is BSL provision and captioning of Green Man’s live streamed Rising Stage final
· There will be audio description of performing arts Ramshacklicious and Hijinx on the Saturday of the festival
· Hearing loops have been fitted in the Babbling Tongues and Cinedrome areas
· All performances across the Green Man site are ‘relaxed performances’ to help those with sensory needs
· Green Man has employed a dedicated access officer.
Fiona Stewart, Managing Director and owner of the Green Man festival, said of the Gold Charter award……
“Green Man is a celebration of inclusivity and making it accessible and welcoming to everyone who wants to attend is something all of our team are invested in.
Our motivation for creating Green Man is the joy people get out of the experience, and if we can do this in the Black Mountains and fields of the Bannau Brecheiog National Park then I hope this will encourage others across the country.”
The magic of Green Man lies not just in its scenery and music. Made up of 10 individual areas, the festival also offers a diverse range of events to accompany its incredible line-up, boasting art installations spread throughout the tranquil valley, a beer and cider tent to enjoy a crisp Welsh pint, a mini-beast themed area of discovery and exploration for the little folk and a relaxation and workshop space for the teenagers.
One of our previous features includes a look at what the festival has on offer, you can read that HERE.
As for the weekend itself, South Wales Life will be there to bring you the sights, sounds, and incredible people who make Green Man such a special event in the South Wales Calendar.
