Accessibility

BCF happens at Wiston Estate, a beautiful greenfield location in the rolling hills of West Sussex. We recognise that the large size of the festival site, combined with uneven surfaces and British weather can create challenges. We work closely with Event Mobility who provide a range of scooters and electric wheelchairs suitable for navigating BCF. We highly recommend contacting them as soon as possible to pre-book your scooter if mobility or fatigue can be a challenge for you.

BCF welcomes all attendees and believes that all should be able to experience the beauty of coming together and worshipping with live music. You’ll find more details below about what to expect and the support we can provide, which will be updated as we get closer to the event.

You can email Mary on [email protected]

Event Mobility

We work closely with Event Mobility who provide a range of electric mobility scooters and manual wheelchairs, making BCF accessible to lots of people. If you are mobility impaired, disabled, or if fatigue can be a challenge for you, we highly recommend booking a scooter from them.

To ensure that a scooter or wheelchair is available for you it is really important to book in advance. More details regarding how to book will be available closer to the event. Please be aware that bookings can not be made on site at the festival.

Accessible Campsite

We have designed our Accessible Campsite as a friendly and helpful space for those with additional support requirements. It includes specialist equipment and service providers, charging for medical items and a pick-up point for the Access Bus. Easy to get to, with parking nearby, it is located close to the entrance to the main arena and is set up for both tents and campervans/caravans. Please be aware that we have designated pitches within the Accessible Campsite, to ensure we can provide suitable space for all those who need it. The campsite contains:

• Accessible toilets, including a RevoLOOtion (formerly Mobiloo) Changing Places unit, complete with staff member
• Accessible showers
• Charging tent for electric scooters/wheelchairs/medical equipment Event Mobility – our provider of hireable electric scooters and wheelchairs
• Volunteers If you have access requirements you are welcome to stay in the Accessible Campsite, along with your family, personal assistant, and close friends.

If you are about to book your tickets, please make sure you select ‘Accessible Campsite’ tickets, not the standard ‘Campsite’ tickets. If you have already booked your ticket, and need to let us know you would like to be in the Accessible Campsite please email [email protected]

We know that you may have family members, friends and carers camping with you. In order to make sure that there is space for everyone who needs it, we would ask that there are no more than 9 people accompanying you, including children. If you are coming with a group of people with support requirements and would like to be allocated space together please contact [email protected] as early as possible.

Electrical Hook-Ups

We understand that many users of the Accessible Campsite need electricity to power medical equipment, hoists and items such as specialist feeding apparatus.

While we do our best to provide an uninterrupted power supply, it is important to note that the power is provided by generators and there is always the possibility that it may go off for a period of time. Please be aware of this and plan accordingly, especially if you are bringing temperature sensitive medications, which you do at your own risk.

In order to book your accessible electrical hook-up you will need to:

1. Purchase your tickets on our website along with the electrical hook-up
2. You will be emailed with instructions on what to do next, please reply to the email or email us directly at [email protected] with information on why you require it, such as for breathing apparatus

If you have already purchased your camping tickets, please email [email protected] for further assistance.

Assistance Dogs

We warmly welcome assistance dogs to Big Church Festival. If you will be bringing an Assistance Dog we recommend you email [email protected] who can provide you with all details of toileting areas and other useful information. The only animals allowed on site are fully trained Assistance Dogs. Therefore, we do ask that your dog wears a harness or lead that identifies it as an assistance dog and bring proof with you that your dog has been provided by a member of Assistance Dogs UK.

Deaf & Hard of Hearing

All artists and acts on our main stage are BSL interpreted. If you are deaf or hard of hearing then we would encourage you to contact us directly, so we are able to give you the best possible support and answer any questions you may have before the festival. Please email [email protected].

First Aid & Medications

If you have a medical emergency then the First Aid team is on hand and happy to help. However, In order to reduce the chances of being unwell, please ensure you bring all your regular medications to the site with you, along with an assistant or family member trained in administering them if needed. Regrettably, it is not yet possible for BCF to safely and securely store medications for you. Should you need to refrigerate your medication, we recommend that you seek advice from your G.P.

Getting Around

We have special access routes to all main venues and essential services, but most of the site is grass. If it rains then the grass can become slippery or muddy. We would recommend that if you have mobility issues you consider either renting an electric scooter/wheelchair from our provider Event Mobility or bringing your own with you.

Accessible Parking

To make things as easy as possible for both Big Church campers and day visitors, we have two locations for Accessible Parking. If you are camping, Accessible Parking is next to the Accessible Campsite and you will be sent all the details with your arrival information. 

If you are just visiting for the day, or are staying offsite, Accessible Parking is located by the Ticket Gate. If you need to park in this area please contact [email protected].

Personal Assistants

If you have a Personal Assistant or Carer attending to support you then you can purchase a Personal Assistant ticket for them in advance through our website ticketing page. When in the booking process, you will need to select your Personal Assistant ticket along with your own full-price ticket. After you have paid for your order, you have 14 days to send your supporting documentation to [email protected] Once your documentation has been checked a Personal Assistant e-ticket will be emailed to you, then you are both good to go. Supporting documentation that we accept includes Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Blue Badge, or relevant medical documentation to support an injury such as a doctor’s note.

Priority Lane

We understand that queuing can be difficult. To make your arrival on-site easier, we have a priority lane for Access users, which can be used by you and your Personal Assistant/Carer.

Toilets

We have accessible toilets at every toilet block around the site, which will be clearly marked.

Viewing Platform

We have a raised Viewing Platform in the Main Stage arena, right in front of the sound desk. It can be accessed via a pathway and has charging points for wheelchairs. Please note that as these charging points are outdoors, they can be impacted by damp conditions.

If you would like to be added to our Access mailing list, and receive updates on our Access provision, including a site map closer to the event, please email Mary on [email protected]