ARC Stockton Building Facilities
Level Access and Lifts - ARC has level access into the building and there is either stair or lift access to all floors. All venue spaces have level access and The Point, where the Conference is held has both step and ramp access to the seating.
Accessible Toilets - Ground, 1st and 2nd Floor
Changing Places Toilet - Basement
Quiet room - ARC has a designated quiet space in the chill out room in the basement.
We can provide noise cancelling headphones if helpful on the day but please book in advance.
Seating - there is seating placed in many of the public areas in ARC should you need to take a rest.
Parking - ARC has no parking itself but there are public car parks opposite and very close by, and all pavements and crossings have dropped kerbs.
Directions to ARC can be found here.
Assistance Dogs are welcome. Please do let ARC know in advance what facilities you will require.
We've tried to think of everything but if there is more information you would like please don't hesitate to email us on [email protected] and put Festival Access in your subject line. Or you can ring ARC's Box Office on 01642 525199
Access Information for Events and Performances
Storiescapes
Information - Storiescapes is an original drama created by Full Circle. It has a running time of 45 minutes and tells the story of a group of people trapped in an Escape Room and how telling their stories and uniting as a community helps them get out.
Deaf audiences -The show will be BSL interpreted and have integrated captions
Wheelchair accessible spaces - please get in touch with Box office to arrange wheelchair accessible seating.
Sensory information -Please note that Full Circle has a very visual theatrical style with stage lighting and an impactful set design of an escape room. There is colourful lighting and sometimes it creates a shadowy effect but there are no flashing lights or strobes.
At the beginning of the performance all appears happy in the world of the actors as they go about their business but with a few rumbles of thunder the security force arrives to lock them into the escape room. There are some loud clanking door sounds to symbolise being locked in and there is some sinister style music to let us know they are in a new and unhappy world. But Full Circle has a brilliant way of bringing things back to a safer feeling space with humour and fantastic music.
There is some suspense as we don’t know if they will escape to be able to tell their stories, and there are some occasional loud sound effects to create the effect.
There is lots of lively and characterful music throughout which some audiences love to clap along to. The show will have a lively ending and some audience members may want to get up and dance on stage with the company.
Advisory content - The storyline is based on learning disabled people being treated unfairly. However, the group in the play show how coming together gives them strength and there is a celebration of learning disability culture as all the characters tell their stories.
Freedom Song Choir Performance
Information - this is the launch of a song co-created by singer-songwriter Beccy Owen and a group of learning disabled artists. The song has then been rehearsed with Systemic Choir. The performance consists of a live choir lewd by Beccy who will appear on film.
A visual description of the choir will be provided when they are introduced.
Deaf audiences - Stage captions and BSL interpretation are available.
Sensory information - there are train sounds in the music - a train’s whistle, steam, the sound of trains on tracks, and there is a call and response section.
Places of Power Exhibition Celebration Event 25 November 2025
Information - the exhibition is a black and white fine art photographic portrait exhibition.
Audio - The Exhibition and programme is described and read on audio which can be accessed through QR codes, or by a link to be sent to your device by requesting it from box office.
Self-description Each speaker or performer will describe themselves to the audience.
Deaf audiences - BSL interpretation is available.
Wheelchair access - the gallery is on the second floor of arc which is accessible by stairs of lift. There is plenty of seating and also wheelchair turning space in the gallery.
The Short, Short Film Festival
Deaf audiences - captions are available on the films
Sensory information - there is a variety of music, sound effects, and special effects. Further information will be released once all the films have been received and viewed by the festival.
Wheelchair accessible spaces - please get in touch with Box off ice to arrange wheelchair accessible seating.
Our Stomping Grounds Conference
Information - the conference is approximately 2 hours long but you can arrive half an hour early to have some light refreshments and get comfortable. There will be a lot of talking by learning disabled and learning disabled neurodivergent artists. They will be speakers talking about their work in the arts, what they would like to do more of and what needs to happen for a fairer arts world for learning disabled people.
Deaf audiences - BSL interpretations and live captions will be available.
Being relaxed - please feel free to come and go out of the auditorium, It's fine to nip to the loo an come back in again.
Quiet Space - there is a chill out room in the basement floor.
Involuntary noises and movements - this is a welcoming space for people with all conditions. If you need to move around in the space, or if you make noises or have tics there will be no judgement and no 'tutting' from other attendees.
Joyful Noiz
Information - Joyful Noiz is an event that consists of an hour of participatory singing and an hour of a drumming performance with some opportunities for percussive participation.
Depending on the sizes of the groups and audiences both of these events are likely to be noisy, with the percussion and drumming also having elements of unpredictability of sound levels. Participants will be encouraged to take part respectfully but the reality is that it is about celebratory and community noise-making.
Stomp Cabaret
Information - the Stomp Cabaret features several short performances from hi-energy dance, to moving physical performance, singing, poetry, comedy and disabled actors speaking out about leadership. The running time is 1 hour and you can choose to leave at the end or stay on for ARCtic Piranha's Daytime Rave and the Festival Closing Ceremony.
Deaf audiences - BSL interpretation is available
Sensory information - the cabaret is a lively celebratory event, there is encouragement to get the audience involved in clapping along and supporting the acts. There may be some audience call and response with the compere. The acts have music, sound effects and cabaret lighting. The final act is Brass Eyed Dragons who are a live rock band. There is no strobe lighting.
Advisory content - we will release advisory content once we become aware of anything. At the time of print none of the acts have any advisory content.
ARCtic Piranha Daytime Rave
Information - This is a daytime disco organised by ARCtic Piranha and includes a short closing ceremony where celebration is encouraged - there will be festival ribbons to twirl and festival flags to wave.
Sensory information - there is loud music and club like lighting effects. There will be DJs using a microphone to get the audience involved and encourage them to enjoy themselves.
Level Access and Lifts - ARC has level access into the building and there is either stair or lift access to all floors. All venue spaces have level access and The Point, where the Conference is held has both step and ramp access to the seating.
Accessible Toilets - Ground, 1st and 2nd Floor
Changing Places Toilet - Basement
Quiet room - ARC has a designated quiet space in the chill out room in the basement.
We can provide noise cancelling headphones if helpful on the day but please book in advance.
Seating - there is seating placed in many of the public areas in ARC should you need to take a rest.
Parking - ARC has no parking itself but there are public car parks opposite and very close by, and all pavements and crossings have dropped kerbs.
Directions to ARC can be found here.
Assistance Dogs are welcome. Please do let ARC know in advance what facilities you will require.
We've tried to think of everything but if there is more information you would like please don't hesitate to email us on [email protected] and put Festival Access in your subject line. Or you can ring ARC's Box Office on 01642 525199
Access Information for Events and Performances
Storiescapes
Information - Storiescapes is an original drama created by Full Circle. It has a running time of 45 minutes and tells the story of a group of people trapped in an Escape Room and how telling their stories and uniting as a community helps them get out.
Deaf audiences -The show will be BSL interpreted and have integrated captions
Wheelchair accessible spaces - please get in touch with Box office to arrange wheelchair accessible seating.
Sensory information -Please note that Full Circle has a very visual theatrical style with stage lighting and an impactful set design of an escape room. There is colourful lighting and sometimes it creates a shadowy effect but there are no flashing lights or strobes.
At the beginning of the performance all appears happy in the world of the actors as they go about their business but with a few rumbles of thunder the security force arrives to lock them into the escape room. There are some loud clanking door sounds to symbolise being locked in and there is some sinister style music to let us know they are in a new and unhappy world. But Full Circle has a brilliant way of bringing things back to a safer feeling space with humour and fantastic music.
There is some suspense as we don’t know if they will escape to be able to tell their stories, and there are some occasional loud sound effects to create the effect.
There is lots of lively and characterful music throughout which some audiences love to clap along to. The show will have a lively ending and some audience members may want to get up and dance on stage with the company.
Advisory content - The storyline is based on learning disabled people being treated unfairly. However, the group in the play show how coming together gives them strength and there is a celebration of learning disability culture as all the characters tell their stories.
Freedom Song Choir Performance
Information - this is the launch of a song co-created by singer-songwriter Beccy Owen and a group of learning disabled artists. The song has then been rehearsed with Systemic Choir. The performance consists of a live choir lewd by Beccy who will appear on film.
A visual description of the choir will be provided when they are introduced.
Deaf audiences - Stage captions and BSL interpretation are available.
Sensory information - there are train sounds in the music - a train’s whistle, steam, the sound of trains on tracks, and there is a call and response section.
Places of Power Exhibition Celebration Event 25 November 2025
Information - the exhibition is a black and white fine art photographic portrait exhibition.
Audio - The Exhibition and programme is described and read on audio which can be accessed through QR codes, or by a link to be sent to your device by requesting it from box office.
Self-description Each speaker or performer will describe themselves to the audience.
Deaf audiences - BSL interpretation is available.
Wheelchair access - the gallery is on the second floor of arc which is accessible by stairs of lift. There is plenty of seating and also wheelchair turning space in the gallery.
The Short, Short Film Festival
Deaf audiences - captions are available on the films
Sensory information - there is a variety of music, sound effects, and special effects. Further information will be released once all the films have been received and viewed by the festival.
Wheelchair accessible spaces - please get in touch with Box off ice to arrange wheelchair accessible seating.
Our Stomping Grounds Conference
Information - the conference is approximately 2 hours long but you can arrive half an hour early to have some light refreshments and get comfortable. There will be a lot of talking by learning disabled and learning disabled neurodivergent artists. They will be speakers talking about their work in the arts, what they would like to do more of and what needs to happen for a fairer arts world for learning disabled people.
Deaf audiences - BSL interpretations and live captions will be available.
Being relaxed - please feel free to come and go out of the auditorium, It's fine to nip to the loo an come back in again.
Quiet Space - there is a chill out room in the basement floor.
Involuntary noises and movements - this is a welcoming space for people with all conditions. If you need to move around in the space, or if you make noises or have tics there will be no judgement and no 'tutting' from other attendees.
Joyful Noiz
Information - Joyful Noiz is an event that consists of an hour of participatory singing and an hour of a drumming performance with some opportunities for percussive participation.
Depending on the sizes of the groups and audiences both of these events are likely to be noisy, with the percussion and drumming also having elements of unpredictability of sound levels. Participants will be encouraged to take part respectfully but the reality is that it is about celebratory and community noise-making.
Stomp Cabaret
Information - the Stomp Cabaret features several short performances from hi-energy dance, to moving physical performance, singing, poetry, comedy and disabled actors speaking out about leadership. The running time is 1 hour and you can choose to leave at the end or stay on for ARCtic Piranha's Daytime Rave and the Festival Closing Ceremony.
Deaf audiences - BSL interpretation is available
Sensory information - the cabaret is a lively celebratory event, there is encouragement to get the audience involved in clapping along and supporting the acts. There may be some audience call and response with the compere. The acts have music, sound effects and cabaret lighting. The final act is Brass Eyed Dragons who are a live rock band. There is no strobe lighting.
Advisory content - we will release advisory content once we become aware of anything. At the time of print none of the acts have any advisory content.
ARCtic Piranha Daytime Rave
Information - This is a daytime disco organised by ARCtic Piranha and includes a short closing ceremony where celebration is encouraged - there will be festival ribbons to twirl and festival flags to wave.
Sensory information - there is loud music and club like lighting effects. There will be DJs using a microphone to get the audience involved and encourage them to enjoy themselves.
