Gathering together is a core part of the Body of Christ; we sharpen each other, encourage each other, and learn together. Across Aotearoa, groups gather with one thing in common: Christ. Two significant gatherings Elevate has loved having connections to are Northern Eastern Camp and Festival One.
Festival One is an intergenerational Christian festival that gathers people around faith, art, and music. Nestled in Hartford, Karapiro, and spanning four days in January, you’ll discover a large event with a huge desire to make its space and experience accessible to people with disabilities.
Elevate has accepted the invitation to partner with Festival One to host the Soul Lounge during the four-day Hartford experience. Coming alongside organisations to create spaces that include people with disabilities is a priority for Elevate. We are thrilled to create a space of refreshment amid Festival One for people with disabilities in 2025 and continue the Soul Lounge at the Festival.
The directors and team of Festival One pour hours of thought, logistical juggling, conversation, planning, and quick-thinking to adapt and support people with disabilities to engage in Festival One to the best of their abilities. The Elevate National Support Office team has witnessed their care and deep consideration of ways people can experience the Festival.
Festival One and its leadership are an outstanding example of an event team that has committed to learning from past events, adapting, growing, and seeking out people with the strengths needed to bring their vision to life.
Julia Grace and Kylee Black
23.9km away and a few months later, you’ll find Northern Easter Camp (E.C.). 4,000 young people gather to celebrate Easter and share positive experiences that shape their future and walk with Christ. Blue Bradley and his team are hosting a camp that allows people who are neurodiverse to take time out of the hustle and bustle of the camp when they are feeling anxious, overstimulated or overwhelmed. They are supported by their youth group leaders back at their own groups’ campsite in a comfortable environment.
The moment of quiet away from the rest of the party can enable young people who are neurodiverse to do what they need to do to regulate and care for themselves well. Northern Easter Camp fosters a sense of safety, belonging, and care in local community groups who then take their camp experiences back to their towns and cities. Young people and their leaders can livestream the main session, speaker, or worship time from a familiar space.
Moments of silence continue at Northern E.C. with the ‘silent disco’. Approaching the marquee, you might think you’ve missed the party. There are no vibrations from the speakers or music that grabs you before you even enter. Headphones that sit snuggly on your head replace large speakers, and you control your party.
Northern Easter Camp and Festival One listens to the experiences of their participants and uses their resources, skills, and capacity to continue growing their events to become more inclusive of people with disabilities and people who are neurodiverse.
If you are a leader of an event and want to enquire regarding making your event more accessible for people with disabilities and people who are neurodiverse, reach out to us through our contact information on our website.
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