Hynt is a new national access scheme that works with theatres and arts centres in Wales to make sure there is a consistent offer available for visitors with an impairment or specific access requirement, and their Carers or Personal Assistants.
In March 2014 Arts Council Wales appointed Creu Cymru, in partnership with Diverse Cymru to deliver a new access initiative across the theatre and arts centre sector in Wales. After a period of research undertaken in 2013 into the viability of such a project, this initiative is ACW’s response to the recommendations that were made.
It has been advertised as a national access scheme, but more than this Hynt is an innovative, peer led scheme grounded in understanding and knowledge about the needs of audiences with disability or impairment. Hynt’s primary aim is to remove the barriers that hold those audiences back from enjoying everything that arts and culture can offer; opening up cultural spaces giving people the chance to have meaningful, memorable and inspiring experiences.
We want to work with theatres and arts centres and communities across Wales affected by the scheme to develop the proposal for the initiative further.
It is important to us that Hynt is peer-led, responds positively to feedback and takes on board the views of all our stakeholders.
Throughout this development process we want to speak with as many stakeholders as possible so that we can make sure that Hynt is as effective as possible and fulfills the needs of the audiences, theatres and arts centres.
We undertook a series of engagement sessions earlier this year that provided us with a great deal of information and helped us to understand better the wide range of experiences and challenges that we are working with. We have also benefited from meeting a large number of organisations and individuals who have generously shared their expertise, knowledge and resources with us to help develop and support the scheme. This collaborative and inclusive approach will be key to the future success of Hynt.
We have now created a report which pulls together all the issues that we have been grappling with and outlines the work we have done to date, opens up our thinking and provides an opportunity for further consultation. This is the start of an ongoing conversation, we know that we will have to continue to adapt and develop.
We want to share this report with as many interested people as possible. We hope it provides clarity about the project and our direction of travel for the future.
Details of how to feedback any further comments or thoughts you may have are included as part of the Report.
If you have any questions or would like any further information please contact:
Megan Merrett, Projects Administrator; megan@creucymru.com