Raspberry Ripples: a social group for Queer Disabled People!
Join Raspberry Ripples for a festive craft-a-thon! We will be experimenting with block printing, to create unique gifts and the paper to wrap them in. Materials provided, and you are also welcome to bring in your own items to print on (e.g. clothes, bags, tea towels).
Other activities such as board/card games available, as well as the space just to hang out and chat. No pressure to craft if you’re not feeling arty- just enjoy a festive creative atmosphere!
🌞 This is a casual meet-up for LGBTQIA+ Disabled People. Whether you’re a high-femme lesbian with Hypermobility, an Autistic Asexual, a No-bones Bisexual, a Disabled Dyke, or just a questioning babe with a mobility aid - we’d love to come together and share disabled queer joy!
✊ This group is created by and for Disabled Queer People. We run on the social model of Disability, meaning we won’t be checking your GP records at the door. If you feel disabled, you probably are disabled - and you can sit with us! We include neurodiversity and mental health conditions in our definition of disability. We do not expect you to share the details of your disability or medical history with us. The only thing we need is to know if you have any specific access requirements you’d like us to consider.
🔄 We aim to meet monthly in a rotation between Central Oxford, Didcot, and Online. There is no pressure to attend every session to be part of the group; just coming as and when is absolutely fine.
Please help to keep our community safe by testing for COVID-19 before attending. If you are showing symptoms of being contagious/unwell, please stay home to keep from spreading it on!
If you need additional access needs other than the ones listed below for the venue, please e-mail info@tartproductions.co.uk.
FAQ
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Raspberry Ripples is primarily a social group where we can meet, chat, and generally hang out! In some sessions, we might bring crafts or optional colouring or organise a games night online. The content of the meet-ups will be responsive to our member's ideas and wants! This is not a group where we can give legal advice or support regarding benefits.
If you need additional access needs other than the ones listed below for the venue, please e-mail info@tartproductions.co.uk.
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Of course, everyone is welcome. Please note that your carer should also adhere to our safer space policy and be aware that this space will centre on the experiences of Disabled Queer People.
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Not at all. Everyone is welcome, but you have to respect the fact that this is a space for queer people. Avoid assuming anything about a person’s gender or sexuality based on their body. Click here for a handy guide on how to be an ally to trans and gender non-conforming people.
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No - everyone is welcome, including allies, partners, and questioning people. Make sure you respect the fact that this meetup is centring queer disabled people.
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No, you are welcome to drop in! You are welcome to email us in advance and request a buddy or ask any questions.
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There aren’t a great deal of queer and accessible events in Oxfordshire. We need safer, inviting spaces where we can express ourselves without fear of harassment and be celebrated for what makes us different.
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We want to make this event as gorgeously accessible as below.
We will be located in the Gill Garrett room. Access is around the back. Look for the concrete ramp leading to the blue door.
Here is our accessibility checklist:
Level access & accessible loo
Allergen-free and vegan snack options
Gender-neutral loos
Sober event
Soft lighting & heating in the venue
Ear defenders & stim toys available
Facemasks encouraged, with disposable masks available
Lots of signage & seating available
Welfare officer and first aider on site
Written instructions for crafts
Visual story available on request
Assistance dogs welcome
Find out more about the venue here.
Please contact info@tartproductions.co.uk with any questions or access needs, we can also set you up with a volunteer buddy to ease you into the group.
🚌 How do I get there?
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Turn down Lake Street. The Community Centre is at the end of the street, on the right.
There is on street parking available on Lake Street which is unrestricted on Sundays. Some Blue Badge spaces are available.
There is also parking at the Doctors Surgery available on Sundays.
The Hinksey Park car park is the nearest car park. It is on the next turning after Lake Street, there is a pay and display facility. You can either walk through the park to the Community Centre which is ahead and to the left of the park as you enter the gate.
Alternatively you can walk back to the top of the car park where you entered and walk to your right and then down Lake Street to the Community Centre at the bottom.
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The nearest train station is Oxford Train Station. There are bus stops right outside the station. The following buses will take you to the venue:
X1
X15
You can also get the 1 or the 5 to Westgate, and get the 300 to Abingdon Road from there.
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The nearest bus stop is on Abingdon Road ~300m walk from the venue.
Going north (towards the centre of town) the stop is just past a post box, next to Hinksey Park.
Going south, the stop is shortly after the entrance to the Voco Oxford Hotel, just past the end of Lake Street.
The following bus routes go there:
46a (limited times), X3, 35 Oxford Bus Company (www.oxfordbus.co.uk)
X1, X2, x15, X32 Thames Travel (www.thames-travel.co.uk)
Most pick up in the centre of town at St Aldates, a short distance past the Town Hall.
Please note that the Park and Ride bus does not stop on the Abingdon Road, until after 7 pm.
🚗 Travel fund
We have a travel fund, so anyone who cannot get a lift can get a taxi. Keep your receipts and send them to us at directors@tartproductions.co.uk noting what session you attended, or we can book your taxi for you if you’re able to give us a few days advance notice.
If you would like help planning your journey, please get in touch on info@tartproductions.co.uk.
💖 SAFER SPACE POLICY
This inclusive space welcomes people of all ages (18+), genders, sexualities, races, religions and identities. We will ensure that the bathroom in the venue is gender neutral & accessible for the event.
We will not tolerate any kind of homophobia, transphobia, sexism, racism, ableism, fatphobia, biphobia, femmephobia, interphobia, or non-consensual touching. Any behaviour of this sort will result in expulsion from the event. Treat everyone with respect, and we'll send that love right on back to you 🌈
If anyone at any of our events makes you feel uncomfortable or you believe they are in breach of this policy, please speak to the event staff or e-mail directors@tartproductions.co.uk.