Your Ticket to a Great Night Out
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.
NW London resident Christine has been a Shape Tickets member for three
years. She first heard about it through a club she belongs to for people
with impaired vision.
Christine used to work in a hospital, was always very active and outgoing
but found that her various health problems suddenly made her housebound and
very dependent on others. She was also finding that much of her time was
taken up with hospital appointments.
When the opportunity to get involved with Shape Tickets came along,
Christine grabbed it with both hands. She says that she now sees her Shape
Tickets membership as part of her therapy and pain relief.
“Musicals cheer me up. I have pain 24 hours a day so it is wonderful to go
and hear people singing and take part in something full of fun and
enjoyment,” she said.
For members like Christine 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
said “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, films and exhibitions ready to
be enjoyed in venues all across London, including captioned, BSL
interpreted, audio described performances and touch tours. And all of its
listings and brochures are available in large print, Braille 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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