Carnival For All – Making Luton International Carnival Accessible
UKCCA strives for Luton International Carnival and all its other projects to be assessable for all and works with groups and individuals with disabilities to enable and inspire them to participate in carnival arts, enabling them to,
· Learn and create together in an inclusive and creative environment.
· Build a sense of well-being, including increased confidence and self-esteem, forging new relationships, and pride in their achievements.
· Express hopes for the future and have their voices heard.
· Decrease feelings of isolation and make connections with others through group work, workshop participation and audience participation.
In 2018 UKCCA supported the VIPs, a Luton based group for adults with visual impairment, forming a carnival group and discovering how they can make costumes with as much independence through adapting construction techniques. They had a fantastic time at Luton International Carnival that year, which they expressed in an interview with BBC Three Counties Radio.
Visually impaired group rock Luton carnival | BBC Three Counties Radio
In 2021 UKCCA supported Luton Shopmobility in celebrating its 30th anniversary with a carnival surprise in Luton town centre. Participants who often feel invisible were seen and celebrated by all with a fantastic parade of flamingos.
Luton Carnival Surprises 2021 - Luton Shopmobility | UKCCA
With the support of the Luton Citizens Fund, UKCCA is currently working with Barnfield College students who have learning needs to develop creative skills in costume making and are working towards taking part in National Children’s Carnival Week in July 2022. UKCCA will also be working with Richmond Hill Primary students with complex learning needs and Community Choices, a respite and day centre for adults with disabilities, in the Autumn.
A big thank you to this year’s primary funder Luton Rising, without who’s support the carnival would not have been possible.
We would also like to thank our other funders and supporters including Arts Council England, Luton BID, Love Luton, The Mall Luton, and Luton Irish Forum.
Also a huge thank you to the hundreds of returning volunteers who took to the streets to support the parade, making it a really special day for thousands of families.