GAMA FAQs

[dansunrise]

Camping at Sunrise 2009 for people with disabilities
Frequently Asked Questions about the Green Access Mobility Area (G.A.M.A) at Sunrise 2009

1. Am I entitled to a concessionary ticket? There are no personal ticket concessions for people with disabilities. See website information on tickets for carers and parking passes, these are only available through our ticket agent Bristol Ticket Shop. Please ask for these when you buy your ticket.

2. I have difficulty walking and carrying things, can I park near where I am camping? Ask for a free car parking pass when you book your ticket if you receive the higher or medium rate mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance. Vehicles must display a Blue Badge as well as the free parking pass when arriving at Sunrise but we advise you not to leave blue badges in parked cars. This will entitle you to park in the GAMA field. When you arrive in the GAMA camping field, our crew will greet you and offer to help you put up your tent.

3. I need space to store my wheelchair in my tent. Can I bring a large tent, tipi or yurt? Yes but please tell us when you plan to arrive so that we can make sure we have a suitable space left to fit you in.

4. Can I bring a caravan or camper van into the GAMA camping field? Yes. Apply for a free parking permit if you fit into the criteria mentioned above and you want to camp in the GAMA field. You can put up an awning but no bigger than your vehicle.

5. Am I entitled to bring a carer or personal assistant? You are entitled to a free carer ticket if you are in receipt of the higher or medium/higher rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance. This ticket must be booked at the same time as you book your initial ticket. Carer passes can only be obtained from Bristol Ticket Shop. You will need to bring this proof with you to site. Also, the carer MUST arrive with the person holding the associated ticket for their pass to be valid.

6. Can my Family and friends camp with me in the Green Access Mobility Area? Yes, but as space is very limited we only have room for yourself, a carer and one additional tent. Friends and relatives camping elsewhere are welcome to visit at any time.

7. Can I bring my dog with me? No pets are allowed. The only dogs allowed at the Sunrise Festival are guide dogs for the blind. You will be asked to provide documentary evidence on arrival for your dog to be admitted in this case.

8. I may need to leave the Festival to drive to a local pharmacy or for some other reason. Will I be able to be readmitted? Please try to avoid needing to move your vehicle during the festival except for emergencies as this increases ruts and mud which are obstacles for people with disabilities. If you need to leave Sunrise Celebration and require readmission, then contact Miki Hall, the GAMA coordinator on site, and he will issue the necessary pass as and when required. There will be a Big Red Bus service to local shops.

9. Can I have a fire outside my tent? Unfortunately, because of risks and potential difficulty in the case of emergency evacuation, fires and barbeques are not allowed in the GAMA field. You can use a gas cooking stove. There is a communal fire pit at the heart of the festival, we have asked Sunrise to provide seats. For the same reasons please do not light flares or fireworks in the GAMA field. We are arranging for hot drinks to be on sale in the GAMA field and there will be cafes nearby.

10. I need to store my medicine in a refrigerator. If you have specific individual medical needs please use our helpline [see below] and we will check with the festival medical service provider.

11. Can I recharge my electric wheelchair? Yes. Wheelchair recharging facilities are available in the GAMA Field. We cannot supply mains power to individual camper vans and caravans but let us know if you have medical equipment needing electricity.

12. I am camping in another part of the Sunrise site with my friends. Can I still use the wheelchair recharging facilities? Yes. Many people camp with friends in other parts of Sunrise and make arrangements to have their electric wheelchairs brought over to the GAMA field for recharging. People camping on other parts of the site also visit GAMA to use the accessible shower.

13. I want to get to the Sunrise Celebration by public transport. Is this possible? As there will be no tickets on sale at the gate venue information will only be sent out with tickets. You are advised to check frequently on the Sunrise Website for information about transport options including coaches. A rail station and bus stops are in a village about a mile from the festival site.
http://www.transportdirect.info travel planning website provides maps and times for public transport and car journeys.
http://www.dptac.gov.uk gives comprehensive advice for travellers with disabilities. http://www.nrekb.nationalrail.co.uk National Rail Enquiries website has information for disabled passengers in the Passengers Services section.

14. I am travelling by car, how do I get to Sunrise? Comprehensive directions by road are printed on sheets sent out with tickets. There is an official Sunrise lift share forum at http://www.freewheelers.com.

15. I am blind or partially sighted and it would be useful for me to arrive early before the crowds arrive so that I can orientate myself around the site. Is this possible? The general public are admitted to Sunrise from 12noon on Thursday. Until then there will be a lot of traffic in all parts of the Sunrise site as equipment is delivered and moved around, so it is not possible for anyone to access the site before then. We maintain safe routes around the GAMA field and will have a footpath to the main arena. Please let us know in advance if you need information in large print or as a tape, CD or mp3.

16. If I get ill I may need emergency admission to hospital. Sunrise emergency plans include an on-site medical centre and ambulance access and exit routes. GAMA has 24 hour radio contact with the main control of Sunrise. Make sure you carry medical information with you at all times.

17. Is it possible to hire/borrow a wheelchair for the event? Unfortunately no. We have looked into this and have been given advice that it would be impractical to provide this facility because everyone requires a different type of wheelchair depending on their size, weight, and needs. People have commented that their local Red Cross, Accident and Emergency Department or Physiotherapy Department have been most helpful in giving advice as to where wheelchairs can be hired near their homes. We realise that festival conditions can be difficult for people who can walk but who tire easily or have difficulty on rough ground. Sunrise Celebration 2009 is a relatively small event. The GAMA field is on one side of the main arena with access to all attractions. Sunrise have promised to place benches around the site and we have asked all cafes and venues to have some suitable seats. We will have a table and chairs in our marquee.

18. Are showers available? We have a wide access double size shower with a ramp for people unable to use the other showers and saunas at Sunrise.

19. I would like to come to Sunrise, but do not feel able to cope with overnight camping. Is it possible for me to come for a day? A limited number of daily tickets are available to visit Sunrise on the Sunday only, these will only be available on the gate. Alternatively you could get accommodation near the festival site and travel in and out every day. The disabled car park will be near to the trackway to permit easy access to and from the site.

20. I have heard horror stories about festival toilets. Sunrise recognise the importance of adequate toilet facilities for all visitors, especially people who have medical conditions. They are providing wide-access portaloo-type toilets for people with disabilities including one in the GAMA field. GAMA will also have a standard toilet. The GAMA toilets will be checked several times a day. Sunrise encourage visitors to use compost toilets but these usually have steps. Hygiene is important. The GAMA field will have a sink and a tap. The water is suitable for drinking. Most chemists now sell handwash gel which can be used without water.

21. I need to keep in contact with friends/family. What is mobile telephone reception like? Mobile reception is generally good on site. It varies from network to network and from place to place on the site. You may have to try in quite a few places on the site before you get a clear signal.

22. Are there facilities for disposal of clinical waste? Yes, the medical centre has clinical waste and sharps disposal facilities. There is also a waste disposal bin in the GAMA field. We will have a changing tent for people who need privacy and space for personal care but we cannot supply a hoist.

23. Who can I contact? We hope that these Frequently Asked Questions will go some way towards assisting you in coming to Sunrise. You are advised to frequently check back on the Sunrise Website as this information may change or we may add further information. If there is anything that we have not covered, or you have any queries, then please do not hesitate to contact Miki Hall on 01273 565649 mikihall@hotmail.com. We hope that we can help and that you will have a lovely time and we look forward to seeing you at Sunrise Celebration 2009
Miki Hall:Coordinator - Green Access Mobility Area and Penny Ledger: Assistant Co-ordinator. Have a look at our website http://www.gama-uk.com about access at outdoor festivals for people with disabilities. We welcome your comments and questions.