With the nights getting darker and the weather getting chillier, it can only mean one thing – Christmas is on the way!
With the festive season fast approaching, it can be difficult to find and plan accessible days out that accommodate hidden disabilities, wheelchairs and everything in between, so here are some of our nationwide picks to get you into the Christmas spirit.
1. The Polar Express Train Ride
These train rides are set to the sounds and songs of the beloved holiday film The Polar Express – passengers can enjoy being whisked away to the North Pole, while being joined by popular characters inspired by the film, including the dancing chefs who serve each passenger hot chocolate and a treat.
After a reading of the original book by Chris Van Allsburg, Santa boards the train to greet families and gives each child the First Gift of Christmas (a silver sleigh bell) – on the return journey, attendants lead Christmas carols and other fun holiday activities.
For those with limited mobility, who cannot stand or walk for very long, the train ride is a perfect seated activity; however, those in wheelchairs will need to double-check that their nearest location has accessible carriage spaces. For those with specific sensory needs, some locations also have dedicated SEN-friendly carriages, such as the Embsay & Bolton station.
The organisation behind the train rides is well aware of passengers who may struggle with crowds, flashing lights and loud noises, and provides a helpful accessibility breakdown for each location on their website. Some locations also often offer a 50% discount on a carer’s ticket.
2. Candlelight Christmas Concerts
With performances across the UK, these concerts by candlelight are sure to get you into the festive spirit – with concerts playing music from every genre (not just Christmas music), there’s an event to suit everyone.
In terms of accessibility, the concerts are a sit-down experience, making them perfect for those with reduced walking and standing time – additionally, the concerts tend to be around an hour long, meaning they are not as big of an endeavour as a full-length theatre show for those who get overwhelmed easily or need time to stretch their legs regularly.
Wheelchair accessibility depends on the venue itself, so it is always best to double-check!
3. Relaxed Pantomime Performances
Relaxed Pantos, or quiet performances, are less formal shows perfect for those who are easily overwhelmed, epileptic or may need to stand up and leave mid-performance. They are made accessible with spaced-out seating, main theatre lights left on low, reduced flashing lights and often a dimmer and quieter overall performance.
Additionally, for those who may be scared or easily alerted by the characters, some performances will come with a familiarisation sheet/booklet with pictures of the characters, so you can talk through them before the performance.
These pantomimes are available all over the UK, so checking out your local theatre’s website is the best way to find a quiet performance and the specifics of the show, such as whether there will be strobe lighting or wheelchair accessibility. Alternatively, some ticket websites will have sections for accessible and relaxed performances.
4. Wheelchair Ice Skating
Ice skating is a classic wintertime activity, but it may seem off limits to those with reduced mobility. But don't worry – wheelchair ice skating is available at many rinks, with some even doing dedicated wheelchair skating sessions, as well as slower, quieter sessions.
Depending on the rink, some provide wheelchair users with purpose-built ice sledges, some will allow you to enter the rink as normal in your chair, and some offer discounted or free admission for carers.
If in doubt, it’s always worth calling your local rink (or having someone call for you) to double-check their accessibility – you can find a list of rinks at the link below, but there are also plenty of seasonal rinks to watch out for too.
5. Craft Days
Alternatively, for the lower energy days and recovery days, arts and crafts, DIY decorations and even festive baking are always fun choices, and in many cases, don't even require leaving the house!
DIY wreaths, bauble painting, candle making, Christmas cards and gingerbread houses can all be made without standing up or walking, and if done at home, the environment can be made as calm and quiet as needed, with plenty of rest breaks included for those who may struggle with their finger joints and wrists.
If you feel like having a day out though, local venues often put on family-friendly Christmas craft sessions too, with some bars and pubs offering more adult-focused sessions accompanied by drinks, nibbles and music. Check out your local area’s events listings to see what’s going on; these can often be found on your council’s website, a “get into” site or even through third-party sites such as Tripadvisor.
Is your Motability Scheme lease up for renewal this festive season?
As the year draws to a close, sorting your renewal sooner rather than later can help take the stress out of the busy festive period - if your renewal is coming up, get ahead by taking a look at our Motability Scheme vehicles below.
If you have any questions or need any help throughout the process, don't be afraid to get in touch with your local dealership - not only are they happy to help, but they know the models and scheme inside out. You can visit in person, or give us a call!
- Motability