“Between the Trees Ltd is committed to treating all people equally and with respect, irrespective of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation”.
Our approach to equality: Key principles.
- All participants in the festival are of equal value, whether they are disabled, whatever their ethnicity, culture, national origin or national status, whatever their gender and gender identity, whatever their religious or non-religious affiliation or faith background and whatever their sexual orientation.
- We recognise, respect and value difference and understand that diversity is a strength. We take account of differences and strive to remove barriers and disadvantages which people may face in relation to disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, belief or faith and sexual orientation. We believe that diversity is a strength which should be respected and celebrated by all those who participate in the festival.
- We foster positive attitudes and relationships. We actively promote positive attitudes and mutual respect between groups and communities different from each other.
- We foster a shared sense of cohesion and belonging. We want all Between The Trees participants to feel a sense of belonging within the Festival and wider community and to feel that they are respected and able to participate fully.
- BTT aims to promote women in the festival and event sector. We carefully curate the line-up of festival performers and presenters to ensure an equal distribution of gender. In previous events, we have achieved more than 50% women performers on our line up. Although we aim to improve diversity in the festival, due to the fact that our musical genre is folk music, maintaining a diverse line-up of artists has proven to be challenging.
- We observe good equalities practice for the festival organising team. We ensure that policies and procedures benefit all participants and our volunteers in all aspects of their involvement.
- Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise offensive and inflammatory remarks and behaviour are not acceptable. These constitute harassment and have no place with the festival.
Grievance policy and procedure
- If anyone feels they have been discriminated against by the festival or harassed at any of our events they should raise this with the Directors of BTT.
- The organising team will investigate the complaint, listening to those involved. (If the complaint is against an organising group member, that individual will not be part of conducting the investigation).
- If the complaint is against a particular individual, this person will have the opportunity to express their point of view, accompanied by a friend. The person making the complaint will also have this opportunity.
- If the complaint is against the festival, the organising team must work to ensure that such discrimination is not repeated in the future and must inform the individuals of how they propose to do this.
- The festival will support people who feel they have been harassed or discriminated against and will not victimise or treat them less well because they have raised this.
Accessibility Policy
We understand that there is a huge spectrum of accessibility, that is why we ask for, and provide ,1:1 consultation regarding the individual’s needs.
An understanding of an individual’s needs means that we can effectively assess and manage the individuals’ expectations and develop a bespoke accessibility plan with respect to the unique opportunities but also limitations of the festival site. We provide a small number of assistance tickets each year on a 2 for one basis.
We not only consider mobility issues, but also take into consideration the needs of those with cognitive issues or conditions such as autism and any other conditions.
We have a MH, ASD and ADHD inclusion policy so that those on the team or who attend the event have a quiet space to camp e.g. The Dingley Dell, that is more peaceful, than the central busier and noisier space.
We provide time and space for those on the team to have “Time Out” during the planning and preparations stages as well during the actual event, if required.
All activities are differentiated, so that everyone can participate fully. The research-based talks are easy to understand and pitched at reading age 12 /mid- teen, verbally.
We take great care to provide plenty of support assistants and to have plain and simple language on our websites and signage.
We use a graphic designer who collates the programme and schedule so that it is easy to use for those with cognitive issues, Infographic in style with a high contrast between black and white is easier to read on a screen or as printed material.
On-Site Provision for Accessibility:
- Accessible camping: there are spaces for those who need to be nearer the central area who are less mobile.
- There are vehicle parking spaces near the rear of the stage for those who need to drive onto the site or park a campervan.
- We have seating placed around the site, benches or haybales in socks for those who need to rest for a while.
- We have new plumbed in Accessible Showers and Toilets, also have 2 x Family rooms with a shower toilet and sink in each, and one with a baby changer so that if a parent is in a wheelchair, they can change and shower their children in one easy space. There are x2 family rooms that make changing and showering a child with ALN far easier.
To Summarise.
- Accessible showers
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible family shower rooms, baby change and toilets
- Charging point for wheelchair batteries or CPAP
- Quiet area for ADHD, ASD or those who need a safe, quiet space.
- ASD and MH awareness training
- A quiet area for prayer and meditation in the Well-being area.
THE BTT SITE TERRAIN
Whilst the site is over 110 acres of woodland, we also have fields outside the woods that are flat and don’t get muddy because the whole site is sand based.
The central main stage area is on flat ground with stone paths, but the site is uneven with tree roots and undulating land and trees that have been planted on sand dunes.
The site infrastructure includes access ramps and decking. We have a viewing platform for wheelchair users, to secure a good view of the main stage.
The Main Stage area, Traders Lane, Food traders and the Niche, Blue barn and Seren barns are all wheelchair accessible.
The Permaculture, Well-being and Pagoda Area are up or down slopes so a non-powered wheelchair may need assistance. This also applies to the Creative and Family camping area. There are alternative routes to access and there are plenty of crew on hand to provide advice and assistance.
Stewards will be patrolling regularly and can provide information, If an attendee needs to charge powered wheelchairs and CPAP machine batteries, they can also be charged, if we are notified in advance.
Mental Health provision
We have 2 crew members who have trained in the Mental health first aid toolkit course.
Many of our crew have DBS, or enhanced DBS and come from fields such as Education, Higher Education, Biomedical science or the Medical profession.
Over 25 have first aid training and we have a full medical team on site for 24-hour cover as well as SIA trained security who also have first aid qualifications.