Do you enjoy going out in London but can’t afford to as much as you’d like
to, or find it difficult getting out on your own?
Shape Tickets is an accessible booking service that works with venues,
museums and galleries to remove barriers to arts, culture and entertainment
events across London.
Membership of Shape Tickets costs just £25 per year, and is open to anyone
who faces obstacles in booking or getting to events.
Earlsfield resident Gordon has been a Shape Tickets member for over five
years.
“My visual impairment means that I find getting from A to B difficult. The
thought of going to a large venue in the West End on my own is daunting,”
Gordon explains. “Without Shape Tickets and their volunteer Access
Assistants, who pick me up by car and share the outing with me, there’s no
way I could get out and about in central London.”
For members like Gordon who are unable to get to a venue on their own, one
of Shape’s Volunteer Access Assistants pick them up by car, enjoy the show
with them and return them back home afterwards (at no extra cost!)
Maria, a Shape Tickets volunteer Access Assistant who lives in Catford, has
accompanied Gordon on several trips.
“Volunteering for Shape Tickets is great because it’s so many things rolled
into one – it helps build my social life, opens up a world of arts I
wouldn’t necessarily go to see on my own, and allows me to share with
someone else.”
Because we know that it can be daunting to go out with someone you haven’t
met before, the Shape Tickets Advocacy Network offers a friendly ear or
helping hand to take that first step.
Shape Tickets Advocates are people who have used the service for many years
and have a good understanding of how it all works. Through a phone call or
visit to your home, our Advocates will tell you about the Volunteer Access
Assistant service, talk to you about what Shape Tickets offers and even
help you make bookings.
Barnet resident, Beryl, has been a Shape Tickets member for several years
but had always been nervous of using a Volunteer Access Assistant. We put
Beryl in touch with Mary, a volunteer who lives nearby. Mary dropped round
and chatted to Beryl and they have now arranged to go out and see a
performance of Cabaret together.
“It makes all the difference having spoken to Mary and I am now really
looking forward to having a break from being at home all the time,” Beryl
said.
Shape Tickets has hundreds of performances ready to be enjoyed, including
audio described performances and touch tours. And all of its listings and
brochures are available in large print and audio formats.
To find out more about Shape Tickets call 020 7619 6166, minicom 020 7619
6161, email [log in to unmask] or visit our website
www.shapearts.org.uk/shapetickets/
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