Written by Rhiannon Griffin, Charter Coordinator
As we moved into the Live Development Phase of our updated Live Events Access Charter, we found ourselves reflecting on just how essential the voices of our Charter members truly are. The Charter Relaunch in February 2025 demonstrated the power of co-production: bringing people together with varied professional backgrounds, lived experience of disability, and a deep knowledge of the live events sector. The insights they shared really helped shape the direction of the Charter, and we knew we wanted that collaboration to grow.
To make sure the Charter continues to reflect the needs of the UK live events industry, we started recruiting a new group of Charter members. We invited professionals who care deeply about the evolving landscape of disability, access and inclusion.
This became the first Member Advisory Panel (MAP) Cohort.
We opened applications to all current Charter members, inviting them to join us for a two-year term. From the responses, it was clear just how much passion, expertise, and creativity exists within our membership. We received thoughtful, detailed applications from across the sector, demonstrating a true commitment to embedding access across live events.
What our applicants had to say
“Approaches to accessibility are ever evolving with the ever-changing arts landscape and I would love to be at the forefront of these conversations, whilst learning from individuals from other arts settings.” – Evie Ayres-Townshend, GDIF
“I’m extremely passionate about accessibility and hope to share how Green Man approaches it – from easy wins to full policies – and to make the Charter easier to implement for independent and non-funded festivals.” – Rosy Turner, Greenman
“I believe that all live entertainment should be accessible to all, and all venues have the capability to make the positive changes needed. With a positive attitude and the correct application, teams can deliver incredible experiences for everyone.” – Jack Brooks, Alexandra Palace
From these submissions, we selected 14 members, representing:
- A range of venues, festivals and cultural organisations across the whole of the UK
- A mix of small, medium and large teams
- Both heritage-listed and newly built spaces
- Different levels of Charter members: from Bronze to Platinum
This diversity ensures that every discussion benefits from multiple perspectives – whether operational, strategic, artistic, or rooted in lived experience.
Our 2025-2027 Member Advisory Panel
- Angharad Jones – Company Director, Accessible Events
- Charlotte Clubb – Customer Service Senior Coordinator, Hampton Court Palace Festival/IMG
- Ella Moffatt – Event Customer Service, Ticketing and Accessibility Manager, Big Feastival/IMG
- Evie Ayres-Townshend – Access Producer, GDIF
- Helen Rankin – Head of Accessibility, Pride Cymru
- Jack Brooks – Head of Visitor Services, Alexandra Palace
- Kat Jakubcova – Ticketing & Accessibility Officer, Brighton Centre
- Louise Hutchinson – Customer Service & Accessibility Manager, DF Concerts & Events
- Lucy Grant – Business Development & Operations Director, English Folk and Dance Society
- Naomi Brewer – Senior Box Office Manager/Access Lead, Academy Music Group (AMG)
- Oliver Griffith-Salter – Accessibility Officer, National Eisteddfod Cymru
- Rosy Turner – Executive Assistant, Greenman Festival
- Scott McIntyre – Customer Experience Team Manager, Scottish Events Campus (SEC)
- Scott Morrisson – EDI Lead, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
What we’ve achieved so far
Across our first two MAP sessions, we have:
- Co-produced our ‘Ways of Working’ document, setting out shared expectations for how MAP members and the Attitude is Everything team collaborate.
- Launched the ‘Idea Garden’, a new collaborative space where MAP members can submit ideas, challenges, opportunities, or emerging trends they see within the sector. The Idea Garden ensures that developments in the Charter are informed by real-world needs and frontline experience.
- Identified priority themes for the Live Development Phase, including strengthening sensory access guidance, supporting smaller organisations with practical implementation pathways, and exploring how access intersects with queerness, gender inclusivity, and belonging in live environments.
- Reviewed early drafts of the new Charter accreditation pathway, providing feedback on things like layout, user journey, and ease of use.
- Set up a routine for ongoing monitoring and review. MAP ideas will be stored centrally, with agendas shared ahead of bi-monthly meetings. We’ll maintain ongoing transparency by clearly showing how feedback is used to shape Charter activities and outputs.
These early sessions have already shown the value of our new panel: honest conversations, sector-wide collaboration, and a shared commitment to inclusive live events.
Looking ahead
Our first Member Advisory Panel Cohort will continue to work closely with us through 2026, influencing Charter development, shaping future resources, and ensuring the Charter remains a living framework that grows alongside the needs of disabled people, industry professionals, and the broader live events landscape.
We’re excited for what’s ahead, and grateful to our MAP members for bringing their expertise, creativity and lived experience into this work!
