The Clean Air Festival returned for a 2nd year and LET’S participated for our 1st year.

LET’s was contacted by a volunteer of the Clean Air Festival about the cost of our low sensory space. They said it was too late for them to get funding for the 2024 event but that they’d love to work with us in the future. LET’S offered them our low sensory space for free. We are proud to be part of a COVID-safer, immuno-inclusive hybrid event that brings together community members to celebrate clean air. Additionally, we suggested that having a low sensory space would allow the event organizers to have photos to use for funding opportunities for future years.

The festival kicked off online, with a fun, casual online social, then on Sunday, September 15 there was an in person event that included: a DIY air purifier building workshop, games and activity tables, a prize draw, stage magic and live music. People brought masks/left masks at the mask swap table, and nabbed free respirators, rapid tests, zines and DIY fit test kits.

 

(Sensory items at the low sensory space.

A parent and child enjoying the varied selection of  sensory items, including a plush octopus.)

 

(A masked person reading a book, leaning against a tree with cushions at LET’S’ low sensory space. Next to them a child plays with sensory items on a gymnastics mat.)

For the 1st time, Vantage Point organized a Summer Social. They brought together “non-profit staff, volunteers, funders, and other sector contributors for a celebration of our community!”

The event was held at the Beaumont Studios in Vancouver. It was a great opportunity to make connections, let people know about LET’S and the work we do, and become aware of other organizations in the sector. The event had amazing food, fun games, a raffle, and a great group of attendees.

LET’S had just taught a session to a Vantage Point group about accessibility facilitation. We were invited to attend. We offered to provide a low sensory space. They had planned on having 1 and had some supplies but gladly took us up on our offer. The location had a great room for the space. It was indoors, adjacent to the outside socializing area. It offered some shade in addition to quiet. Vantage Point staff were thrilled by our supplies and the way we set up the room. It was very well used throughout the 3 hour event. We even kept it open for an extra 30 minutes because people weren’t ready to leave. We had compliments from several people, including a few who said they were only able to stay and socialize for the whole event because they had the low sensory space to escape to and/or take a breather in.

In Vantage Point’s newsletter they said the following:

“Our team is buzzing with energy after last week’s Summer Social! We want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who was able to join and celebrate with us. We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to our dedicated volunteers and our event sponsor, Enkel. A special thanks to Heather from Live Educate Transform Society for setting up the quiet room. Your support and effort were key to making this event a success.”

The event was a gathering of non-profit staff, volunteers, funders, and sector contributors, all coming together to connect and celebrate our vibrant community. The evening, held at the Beaumont Studios, was filled with laughter, lively conversations, and an undeniable spirit of community. It was inspiring to see so many familiar faces and meet new ones as we celebrated the incredible work of non-profits across BC.

We look forward to many more opportunities to come together and celebrate the important work of our non-profit sector!”

LET’S has already been in contact with Vantage Point about the possibility of low sensory spaces at future events.

In addition to the workshop we provided and the low sensory space, LET’S is utilizing Vantage Point’s workshops. We are registered for a Strategic Plan session in September. We have also joined 1 of their peer support networks, ED Unplugged, a monthly get together for Executive Directors. They have 2 other peer support networks: Reimagining Governance Peer Network (which LET’S helped found) and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Peer Network.

At our Victoria Pride low sensory space, we were able to provide free menstrual products, such as reusable underwear (up to xxl), menstrual cups, and reusable pads. This was thanks to our partnership with the United Way Period Promise Campaign. The campaign provided select organizations with free reusable menstrual products and some disposable pads. They were hoping to better understand what impact reusable products can have as part of building long-term solutions. The campaign sought out community organizations who offer support to those demographics that disproportionately experience period poverty in BC: people living with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and families making less than $40,000 a year. They hoped to get some useful information on participants’ experiences using reusable menstrual products, with the goal that the data will inform future policy changes that address period poverty in BC, and ultimately help to better serve our communities.

Visitors to our low sensory space were thrilled with the free reusable products. We had 1 set of friends who walked and 1 of them said “I’ve been trying to talk her into a menstrual cup the entire walk here and now you have them for free! She has no excuse not to try them now.” Her friend explained that cost was the barrier that had them hesitating. They knew in the long-run they’d save on money but it was trying to get the upfront cost that was a struggle.

The campaign’s only ask was for people, who took the free supplies, to do an online survey. We will share the results when it is released.

The feedback we heard included the following:

“Based on conversation, the biggest barriers, for our members, are cost, colour, and perception/bias.

• The majority of disabled people live in poverty and buying menstrual products is expensive and ongoing. A big frustration is that in order to save money by buying reusable underwear, you have to have more money up front, which our members do not have. There was a lot of excitement about the underwear and cups being free as they are unaffordable to many members. Providing them at events is a great way to aid them having access.
• Colour is a big barrier, even within the products provided in the study. Menstrual products are typically in pinks with flowers or other perceived feminine designs. This is a barrier for many trans folks. A person may be male but have a period. They don’t want to carry or use things that may peg them as a gender different to their own. Having menstrual products available in a variety of colours for all genders would be an aid.
• Another barrier is perception and bias. Many people perceive periods, and thus menstrual products, as being for women only. This is untrue. People of all genders have periods and need menstrual products. They may be judged when buying products and/or there may be a lack of menstrual products in the washroom that aligns with their gender. The colours speak of this bias by using feminine perceived colours like pink. Having better education in classes, in bathrooms, and throughout the community would aid to work against these misperceptions and biases.

LET’S was excited to be returning to Victoria Pride to provide a low sensory space. Last year, we provided feedback to the Victoria Pride organizers. We were very pleasantly surprised to discover they had made sure to address any issue we raised. We had mentioned, including that we provided water to a lot of people with sensory sensitivities because the only water was next to the speakers. They provided us with a lot of water and battery operated pumps. And thank goodness they did! The day Victoria Pride was held, it was 38 degrees. It was so hot! We went through about 50 litres of water. (Big respect to the furries and drag performers who wore their costumes in that kind of weather – that is true commitment! We hope they were able to cool off after.)

(Inside the Victoria Pride tent, people fill the tent,

those closest to the viewer are on a Care Bear

blanket with stuffed animals.)

Another item we mentioned to Victoria Pride was that there had been a search for a missing autistic teen last year. He had come with his friend and friend’s mum. At some point, he went to look at a booth and didn’t return. The friend’s mum went into an understandable panic and sought out security and police help. They had been searching for quite a time before they checked the low sensory space. He had come directly to the low sensory space and had happily sat himself in the corner and played with sensory items and stuffies.

Based on our sharing this story, Victoria Pride told police and security to use the low sensory space as a lost child space. If someone, especially a neurodivergent someone, went missing, make sure to check our space. If they find a child whose parent is not to be found, they bring them to space. Previously, they would be placed in the first aid tent but there was nothing for the child to do. And, some calls required the whole team and were not the types of situations they wanted to bring a child to. If they were brought to our space, they would be more entertained. Plus our neurodivergent hosts are trauma-informed. Using us as a lost child space was a great idea and we suggested it to other Pride events.

(Parent and child sitting side by side on a blanket.)

LET’S was very pleased to receive an email, following Victoria Pride, with the following (edited to protect identity):

“I needed to reach out to thank you for the low sensory space at the Victoria Pride Festival. Without it my family would not have managed the day.

My ____ and myself were visiting from ____ and would have needed to leave 5 times over at least if it hadn’t been for the sanctuary you provided. I am grateful beyond words. We all had our own reasons for feeling the nest to retreat to the safety of the tent.

Just the space alone was enough to be grateful for, but then there were free menstrual products and sensory toys!! Best Pride booth ever!”

I am newly navigating a physical disability myself. I pushed myself to attend the festival. I could have spent the whole day in the low sensory space!

Anyways, just wanted to let you know how appreciative my family is!!”

LET’S was excited to return to Vancouver Pride Society’s PrideFest. We ran the low sensory space and had a LET’S information booth. We loved how many people stopped by our booth to show us that they still had the sensory items they’d gotten at our booth last year. We had others who were glad to see us because they had worn out, accidentally put in the washing machine, and/or lost their sensory items from the previous year. We even had some people who had heard about our booth from friends and were frustrated they hadn’t stopped by. It’s great to see so many people excited by the sensory selection at our booth.

We had many great conversations. We talked with teachers, camp counsellors, and program directors who were very much interested in our upcoming sensory kits sales. We chatted with people who had seen and/or heard of stim toys/sensory items but weren’t sure of what they did. We chatted with parents whose kids have just been diagnosed (and at least half of the parents have discovered they are also neurodivergent) and had lots of questions.

Our absolutely favourite interaction, though, was with 2 people who weren’t together. They were looking over the sensory items. 1 saw our weighted octopus and excitedly asked if either of us knew any octopus facts. Heather does indeed so they shared a few. Well that sparked such joy in the person. They went on a 5 minute infodump about octopuses. The other person kept moving closer until they looked up and provided a 5 minute infodump about another sea creature. Each person kept talking faster and faster and layering facts one over the other. The joy kept building and 20 minutes passed by. Then they both walked off in opposite directions. That is the kind of autistic joy we love witnessing!

At our booth, we directed many people to the low sensory space. We appreciated all the people who stopped by our booth to tell us how much the space meant to them. And we loved watching people stop by our booth and say no to the sensory items then talk them into trying 1 and they suddenly relaxed or nodded or zoned out or said “oh, that is nice”. Sensory items are such a wonderful way to demonstrate how accessibility doesn’t have to be this big thing to make a positive impact.

The low sensory space was popular. We heard from 1 person who had a 3.5 hour nap in the space. They said they hadn’t felt that safe in a long time. LET’S loves that we can provide this type of space.

It was a hot 1 and the LET’S staff member at our booth is “Celtic Pale” (as their grandfather called their fair skin). They were getting burned by the end of the 1st day. Out of concern, Vancouver Pride Society volunteers moved a patio umbrella over to the booth to provide additional shade. It was very much appreciated. Volunteers also came by regularly to let both our booth and low sensory folks have breaks to use the bathroom, get food, and, most of all, use the misting machines (and thank goodness for them!). We very much appreciate the attentiveness of the Vancouver Pride Society staff and volunteers. We also really thank the lemonade stand near us (sorry, I don’t remember their name) which not only had yummy hand-squeezed lemonade but who supplied us with cups of ice which helped so much! (If anyone knows their name, please let us know and we will add them to our post and tag them.)

For the 1st time, Vantage Point organized a Summer Social. They brought together “non-profit staff, volunteers, funders, and other sector contributors for a celebration of our community!”

The event was held at the Beaumont Studios in Vancouver. It was a great opportunity to make connections, let people know about LET’S and the work we do, and become aware of other organizations in the sector. The event had amazing food, fun games, a raffle, and a great group of attendees.

LET’S had just taught a workshop to a Vantage Point group about accessibility facilitation. We were invited to attend. We offered to provide a low sensory space. They had planned on having 1 and had some supplies but gladly took us up on our offer. The location had a great room for the space. It was indoors, adjacent to the outside socializing area. It offered some shade in addition to quiet. Vantage Point staff were thrilled by our supplies and the way we set up the room. It was very well used throughout the 3 hour event. We even kept it open for an extra 30 minutes because people weren’t ready to leave. We had compliments from several people, including a few who said they were only able to stay and socialize for the whole event because they had the low sensory space to escape to and/or take a breather in.

In Vantage Point’s newsletter they said the following:

“Our team is buzzing with energy after last week’s Summer Social! We want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who was able to join and celebrate with us. We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to our dedicated volunteers and our event sponsor, Enkel. A special thanks to Heather from Live Educate Transform Society for setting up the quiet room. Your support and effort were key to making this event a success.”

 

(Colouring sheets. 1 says Take a moment to breathe. The other shows a person cuddling their cat on their bed, the text reads I deserve to feel happy, safe, and loved.)

The event was a gathering of non-profit staff, volunteers, funders, and sector contributors, all coming together to connect and celebrate our vibrant community. The evening, held at the Beaumont Studios, was filled with laughter, lively conversations, and an undeniable spirit of community. It was inspiring to see so many familiar faces and meet new ones as we celebrated the incredible work of non-profits across BC.

We look forward to many more opportunities to come together and celebrate the important work of our non-profit sector!”

LET’S has already been in contact with Vantage Point about the possibility of low sensory spaces at future events.

In addition to the workshop we provided and the low sensory space, LET’S is utilizing Vantage Point’s workshops. We are registered for a Strategic Plan session in September. We have also joined 1 of their peer support networks, ED Unplugged, a monthly get together for Executive Directors. They have 2 other peer support networks: Reimagining Governance Peer Network (which LET’S helped found) and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Peer Network.

(Stim toys and cards from a Cats Against Anxiety deck.)

LET’S was excited to return to Vancouver Pride Society’s PrideFest. We ran the low sensory space and had a LET’S information booth. We loved how many people stopped by our booth to show us that they still had the sensory items they’d gotten at our booth last year. We had others who were glad to see us because they had worn out, accidentally put in the washing machine, and/or lost their sensory items from the previous year. We even had some people who had heard about our booth from friends and were frustrated they hadn’t stopped by. It’s great to see so many people excited by the sensory selection at our booth.

(Friends posing in the low sensory tent.)

We had many great conversations. We talked with teachers, camp counsellors, and program directors who were very much interested in our upcoming sensory kits sales. We chatted with people who had seen and/or heard of stim toys/sensory items but weren’t sure of what they did. We chatted with parents whose kids have just been diagnosed (and at least half of the parents have discovered they are also neurodivergent) and had lots of questions.

Our absolutely favourite interaction, though, was with 2 people who weren’t together. They were looking over the sensory items. 1 saw our weighted octopus and excitedly asked if either of us knew any octopus facts. Heather does indeed so they shared a few. Well that sparked such joy in the person. They went on a 5 minute infodump about octopuses. The other person kept moving closer until they looked up and provided a 5 minute infodump about another sea creature. Each person kept talking faster and faster and layering facts one over the other. The joy kept building and 20 minutes passed by. Then they both walked off in opposite directions. That is the kind of autistic joy we love witnessing!

At our booth, we directed many people to the low sensory space. We appreciated all the people who stopped by our booth to tell us how much the space meant to them. And we loved watching people stop by our booth and say no to the sensory items then talk them into trying 1 and they suddenly relaxed or nodded or zoned out or said “oh, that is nice”. Sensory items are such a wonderful way to demonstrate how accessibility doesn’t have to be this big thing to make a positive impact.

The low sensory space was popular. We heard from 1 person who had a 3.5 hour nap in the space. They said they hadn’t felt that safe in a long time. LET’S loves that we can provide this type of space.

It was a hot 1 and the LET’S staff member at our booth is “Celtic Pale” (as their grandfather called their fair skin). They were getting burned by the end of the 1st day. Out of concern, Vancouver Pride Society volunteers moved a patio umbrella over to the booth to provide additional shade. It was very much appreciated. Volunteers also came by regularly to let both our booth and low sensory folks have breaks to use the bathroom, get food, and, most of all, use the misting machines (and thank goodness for them!). We very much appreciate the attentiveness of the Vancouver Pride Society staff and volunteers. We also really thank the lemonade stand near us (sorry, I don’t remember their name) which not only had yummy hand-squeezed lemonade but who supplied us with cups of ice which helped so much! (If anyone knows their name, please let us know and we will add them to our post and tag them.)

(LET’S’ booth at Vancouver Pride. Our table has

stuffies, boxes of stim toys, and signage.)