Building an inclusive community: Haringey Community Collaborative tests the WAVE for Change ‘Together Toolkit’

Haringey Community Collaborative, delivered by Public Voice in partnership with Mind in Haringey, believe that community spaces should be welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to everyone. That’s why they were excited to take part in piloting the WAVE for Change Toolkit,  a practical and inspiring resource designed to help organisations create mixed-ability events and activities, where people with and without learning disabilities can connect, participate, and feel equally valued. 

WAVE stands for We Are All Valued Equally, and this ethos runs through every element of the toolkit.

What’s inside the Toolkit? 

The WAVE for Change toolkit is more than just a guide; it’s a thoughtfully designed collection of ideas, encouragement, and practical tools to support inclusive event planning. It includes: 

• A powerful reminder of why inclusive gatherings matter 

• Stories of encouragement from others who have hosted mixed-ability events 

• Creative, easy-to-follow activities to help shape your event 

• Guidance on invitations (e.g. when to send them, who they should come from, and how to make them accessible) 

• Preparation tips and checklists to support smooth delivery 

• Answers to common questions 

• Fun welcome items to introduce you to the WAVE community 

Using the toolkit 

Using the toolkit, they planned and delivered a mixed-ability event as part of the Haringey Volunteers’ Week Celebration and NavNet+ Networking Event. The guidance helped them think intentionally about how to make the space inclusive for everyone. 

Some of the ways they adapted their event included: 

• Creating a quiet space: They set aside a quiet room away from the main event for anyone who needed a break from noise or activity, particularly helpful for people who may feel overwhelmed or experience sensory sensitivities. 

• Offering varied activities: Alongside the main event, they included a relaxed arts and drawing table to provide alternative ways to engage. 

• Sharing clear travel information: They created accessible guidance on how to get to the venue, helping people plan their journey with confidence. 

• Encouraging different ways to participate: Attendees could get involved in ways that suited them ,e.g. helping with raffle tickets, supporting activity tables, or simply observing. 

• Supporting social connection: They created conversation starter prompt cards, available around the venue, to help people engage with others, while also recognising that some participants feel more comfortable listening and observing. 

By offering a variety of ways to engage, they aimed to ensure that everyone could participate in a way that felt right for them.  

The event in action 

The event, held on Friday 5th June 2026 at Mind in Haringey, brought together volunteers, community organisations, and local leaders for an afternoon of celebration and connection. 

They heard opening remarks from Haringey’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Ata Berk Aksit, and former Mayor of Haringey Cllr Sue Jameson. A moving testimonial from local volunteer Rolf Maass highlighted the transformative power of volunteering, moving from the corporate world to a finding joy and employment within his community. 

The afternoon also included the presentation of the Steve Hill Memorial Award, recognising the incredible contributions of food project volunteers across the borough. Guests enjoyed lunch, networking opportunities, and a range of inclusive, interactive activities inspired by the WAVE toolkit. 

A standout moment was a vibrant dance performance by Candy’s Dance Stars, celebrating community spirit and joy, followed by a screening of the short film The Volunteers 1.0, introduced by Haringey resident and Director O.G. Dawodu.  

What Haringey Community Collaborative learned 

Feedback from the team highlighted just how valuable and impactful the toolkit was: 

• Colleagues appreciated how visually engaging and easy to navigate the toolkit was, helping them consider diverse needs and perspectives. 

• The Confident Host Reminders were particularly valued, offering reassurance and encouragement during the planning process. 

• Suggestions for improvement included: 

• Adding a digital one-page version, with links to further materials (such as templates or videos)  

• Improving colour contrast and readability for people with visual impairments 

• Including a clearer statement of purpose at the beginning, possibly supported by a short introductory video 

• Ensuring consistent formatting, typeface, and accessible design throughout 

• Placing greater emphasis on sharing information ahead of events, so attendees can prepare and feel more at ease