Attitude is Everything is delighted to announce that Kendal Calling has become the latest festival to be awarded the Silver level of our Charter of Best Practice.

The award comes after two years of working with Attitude is Everything to implement a range of access improvements, and a continual commitment on behalf of the festival to deliver exemplary customer service.

Highlights of 2014 included, for the first time, lowered bars across the site and use of a shuttle service to and from the accessible campsite. The accessible campsite itself has seen a number of improvements over the past two years, now being in a location that is accessible as possible, with a host of facilities including provision for people to park alongside where they camp.

The fantastic customer service in the campsite was summed up by a mystery shopper who has attended the festival for a number of years and who has seen a marked improvement since Kendal Calling and Attitude is Everything started to work in partnership:

“The staff on site were absolutely amazing. They informed us of all the facilities and offered a tour to show us were all the facilities where. They were assisting in putting up people’s tents, guiding people in to park, giving out information and providing pre-booked access accreditation in the information tent. They were patrolling the campsite, asking if people needed assistance.”

Feedback questionnaires were handed out within the campsite, demonstrating the festival’s clear commitment to involving the opinions of customers in their year-on-year planning – a central tenant of Attitude is Everything’s Charter of Best Practice.

Investment in access and inclusive policies has resulted in a 57% increase in the number of disabled customers between 2013 and 2014with numbers hoped to rise again for 2015. This reflects the customer loyalty that stems from a festival committing to engage with this topic, as described by the mystery shopper when they were asked whether they would go again:

“Most definitely, this festival is trying to improve the access facilities and have made visible improvements from last year.”

With this in mind, Attitude is Everything and Kendal Calling are now engaged in work to identify areas for further improvements and expansion in access provision ahead of the 2015 event, with a view to engaging with new deaf and disabled audiences alongside taking steps to continue to provide a fantastic service to existing loyal customers.

Suzanne Bull MBE, CEO of Attitude is Everything, said:

“Congratulations to Kendal Calling and their partners Ground Control in achieving the Silver award of the Charter of Best Practice. The award is testament to their strong commitment to inclusion and accessibility, and we are excited to see where this ethos takes the festival in years to come. It is fantastic to see a festival valuing and investing in the experience of customers who may have access requirements, removing those barriers that might otherwise prevent people from attending what is one of the best music festivals in the UK today.”

Andy Smith Director of Kendal Calling said:

‘We’re honoured to have been awarded the Silver Charter of Best Practise, from charity Attitude Is Everything. We’ve been working with Attitude Is Everything for the past two festivals, to improve accessibility and make sure everyone can have the best possible experience at the Deer Park! We’re looking forward to continuing to work with them in the future.'

30^th July – 2^nd August Lowther Deer Park, Hackthorpe, The Lake District.