Greater Manchester SLC delivers Vision Awareness sessions at Bridgewater Hall
Blind and partially sighted (BPS) visitors can now enjoy a more inclusive experience at Bridgewater Hall and Hálle Orchestra thanks to a partnership with Greater Manchester Sight Loss Council delivering a series of vision (VI) awareness sessions.
Greater Manchester Sight Loss Council (SLC) members first began working with staff from Bridgewater Hall and Hálle Orchestra earlier this year. This involved supporting them to develop a ‘touch tour’ that enables blind and partially sighted visitors to meet members of the orchestra, understand the layout of the hall, explore various instruments before the concert, and even play them.
SLC volunteer holding the clarinet and smiling
Kelly Barton, Engagement Manager for the North West, said:
“When we met initially to discuss how a touch tour would work, everyone seemed very keen. We talked about how blind and partially sighted people enjoy listening to the orchestra, but often do not know where musicians are positioned on stage or what each instrument looks and feels like. If you’ve only ever heard them, how would you know?
“At that point, our SLC members worked with a couple of the members from the orchestra who brought along a cello, violin, and some percussion instruments. They described the instruments and allowed people to try playing them.”
Following this initial meeting, Greater Manchester SLC delivered three vision awareness sessions to the Bridgewater Hall staff and an additional session to members of the Hálle Orchestra. Now, everyone from security staff to box office staff, stewards, the management team, and members of the orchestra feel they have a greater understanding of the challenges that blind and partially sighted people face. Staff also learned how to describe and act as sighted guides for those with visual impairments. After these sessions, SLC members attended the first trial touch tour and stayed afterwards to enjoy a concert.
SLC Staff delivering a presentation
Naomi Benn, Head of Halle Connect, said:
“It’s been really great to work in partnership with Greater Manchester Sight Loss Council and for our team of staff to learn more about how it feels to be blind or partially sighted and how we can better provide support. The vision awareness sessions we attended were insightful and got everyone thinking.
“Our partnership has enabled us to develop a regular Halle / Bridgewater Hall offer with Greater Manchester SLC, which we are extremely excited to be launching very soon.”
SLC member, Helen, added:
“Having orientation of the hall ahead of the concert was really helpful. It was great to hear individual instruments being played so we knew their locations on stage. I enjoyed touching the instruments before the concert, and I appreciated that the touch tour provided information about the performance.”
SLC member, Anthony Clough, shared:
“This trial touch tour was delivered exceptionally well, and it was amazing to hear the individual instruments on stage. I found it interesting to explore, feel, and play various instruments before the performance. The staff at Bridgewater Hall and Halle were friendly and provided clear descriptions.”
Kelly Barton added:
“We are absolutely delighted to see that the work we have done over the past few months will now make a real difference to blind and partially sighted visitors. It’s brilliant that a touch tour will now take place each month.”
Kelly Barton standing in the Halle orchestra pit
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Publication date: 31 October 2024