Pure Innovations celebrates sell-out Access Festival

More than 300 people came together last month to celebrate music, friendship and inclusion as Stockport charity Pure Innovations hosted its sixth annual Access Festival at Stockport Guildhall.

Designed specifically for adults with learning disabilities and autism, the much-loved event once again transformed the Guildhall into a vibrant, fully accessible festival space, complete with live music, karaoke, dancing, food and entertainment. But beyond the music, the day represented something much bigger; it was a chance to create opportunities for people to experience the joy of festivals in an environment where everyone feels welcome.

Now in its sixth year, Access Festival has grown from a gathering of just 30 people into one of the charity’s flagship events, welcoming clients, families, carers and supporters from across Greater Manchester.

The festival is part of Pure Innovations’ wider mission to ensure people with learning disabilities and autism can live full, connected and independent lives, challenging the barriers that continue to prevent many people from accessing mainstream social experiences.

Emily, who founded Access Festival and has led its growth over the past six years, said:

“Every year I wonder how we’ll top the last one, and every year our clients, volunteers and supporters make it even more special. Seeing hundreds of people laughing, dancing, singing and simply enjoying themselves reminds us exactly why Access Festival exists.

“For many people, going to a festival is something they’ve done countless times. For many of the people we support, opportunities like this are incredibly rare. Access Festival creates a space where everyone belongs, everyone can be themselves, and everyone gets to make memories that last long after the music has finished. That’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”

Among those celebrating was Tom’s mum, whose son attends Pure Innovations’ services. She wanted to highlight how much she enjoyed attending the Access Festival with Tom. She said:

“These events provide a valuable opportunity for us to spend quality time together and enjoy a special bonding experience outside of our usual routine.

“The festival was excellent; whoever organises these occasions does an amazing job, as they are enjoyable, inclusive, and provide wonderful opportunities for clients and their families to come together and create positive memories.

“We both greatly appreciated the opportunity to attend and look forward to similar events in the future!”

The success of this year’s festival was made possible thanks to the support of local businesses, volunteers and community partners who donated prizes, gave their time and helped bring the event to life.

While the festival may only last a few hours, its impact extends far beyond the event itself. For many attendees, it provides confidence, connection and memories that continue throughout the year, while also demonstrating what’s possible when inclusion is built into experiences from the very beginning.

Pure Innovations hopes the success of this year’s event will continue to inspire organisations across the region to think differently about accessibility and create more opportunities where everyone can take part.