HEAD2HEAD SENSORY THEATRE CREATES FIRST FAMILIARISATION VIDEO FOR WHITEHALL HISTORIC HOUSE

Head2Head Sensory theatre, disabilities theatre charity in Surrey, has worked with Whitehall Historic House, a Grade II* listed building in Cheam to produce its first familiarisation video.

The video highlights the house’s accessibility to visitors with Special Education Needs and Disabilities, their families and carers.

Featuring John Gregor, a professional Head2Head actor, and Nick Walewski, a former student of The Orpheus Centre, the video helps to highlight the house’s accessibility and demonstrates how to explore the site.

Amy Rhodes, Director & Producer, Head2Head Sensory Theatre said: “We are all about accessibility so to be involved in this project was both uplifting and fun, of course! As a wheelchair user Nick’s involvement was central. He offers viewers an accurate exploration of the house as well as a personal, first-hand account of accessing a property that is over 500 years old. Nick’s comical approach was perfectly balanced with John’s presenter skills to produce informative and fun content.”

Jan Underhill, Assistant Director Wellbeing commented "We aim to make everyone's visit enjoyable and work to ensure a welcoming experience for the widest possible audience. It was a pleasure to have the Head2Head production team produce its first familiarisation video here at Whitehall Museum. The team not only understood the importance of accessibility but were also able to bring in people with real experiences to tell our story.”

The video is an introduction to the new features at Whitehall which include audio guides, friendly events for people with special educational needs and disabilities plus access to lots of local history and a cafe full of sweet treats!

Whitehall Historic House also offers free to borrow Sensory Packs designed to support the experience of visitors with sensory needs.

Head2Head Sensory Theatre is a charity based in Surrey and dedicated to the special needs’ community providing multi-sensory, interactive and accessible drama for audiences presenting with a wide range and varied levels of disabilities.

Whitehall Historic House, owned and run by the London Borough of Sutton, is a 500 year old building set in the village of Cheam. Following a National Lottery Heritage Fund refurbishment, the House has been inviting visitors back to rediscover its incredible secrets for FREE.

Watch Nick and John in the new video about Whitehall Historic House in Cheam from Sutton Heritage.

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More links/info @SuttonHeritage @h2htheatre #historicplaces #suttonheritage #sensorypacks #accessiblemuseums #MuseumLife #MuseumLove #inclusive #AccessibilityForAll #Diversity

Read about Nick’s work in the Head2Head news pages:

https://www.h2hsensorytheatre.com/2021/11/18/opening-new-doors-for-young-studentswith-learning-disabilities/

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2124923224328801

For further media information please contact: Lisa Ronchetti marketing@h2hsensorytheatre.com

Notes to Editors

About Head2Head Sensory Theatre

Head2Head Sensory Theatre works with young people with a wide range of disabilities:  wheelchair users, learning difficulties, neurodevelopmental disorders, autism, complex health needs, visual/hearing impairments. Their projects encourage participants to take risks by working in small groups of peers and with neurotypical siblings to increases confidence and widen social interaction and skills.  A unique element of all their work is the ability to provide entertainment irrespective of age and/or stage of development, with puppetry, rhyme, rhythm, repetition, and songs, enabling participants to access it in a fully inclusive way.  All activities are custom-made to help audiences to benefit from participation in an inclusive and accessible event, gain confidence and widen social opportunities, as well as being encouraged to enjoy fresh air and exercise.