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Written by Lucy:
Last week, (30th October 2026) was the yearly lantern parade in Lister Park, created by Cecil Green Arts. We made the quiet, safe space for the lantern parade.
Our Proper Community Works group worked on creating the space:
- They talked about what would make the space feel safe.
- They designed what they wanted the space to look and feel like.
- They worked with Katie from CGA to make paper lanterns for the space.
- They put the space up and hosted the space.
- The put gazebos up, put lights inside and hung up the lanterns they had made.
What I really liked about the evening was seeing how the people we work with managed change and challenge. Our session was at a different time and in a different place, we were doing something we had never done before and we were at a big, busy event.
Written by Annie:
When we set up the sensory safe space we had two gazebos, one was white full of lights and closed off the to the public which was intended to look like a massive lantern. There was ab activity tied to this white gazebo to cut out black shapes to cast shadows like the lanterns. We also had a black and yellow gazebo that we put a sofa, bean bags, big stuffed animals. Cushions, blankets, light up things, and a speaker that played calming music. From the window of the room we were able to see and hear the parade gathering. We provided the options of fidget toys and colouring in book in case anyone wanted them.
I stayed inside the quiet space and only watched outside of the window because I preferred feeling engaged by having a specific job to do such as setting up the quiet space and helping with the people who needed the space.
“I preferred feeling engaged by having a specific job to do such as setting up the quiet space”
Lucy:
Some of our participants asked to go out and watch the gathering of the parade, they stood on the steps of Cartwright Hall and listened to the bands and talked about the big lanterns they saw. Later, they asked to go out and watch the finale – they felt safe enough with us, and with the space we had made inside, that they could do something which felt challenging. They came back in from being part of the parade exhilarated and excited.
Some of our participants chose to stay inside – they watched the beginning of the parade out of the window and we came up with a plan for next year to create a raised viewing platform inside the safe space, so everyone can see out of the window.
The participants who stayed inside really impressed me with their capacity to work with the people who were using our space – they were helpful, kind and supported them to feel engaged and safe.
Dictated by David:
When I first got there I didn’t really know what to expect but when I saw familiar people it felt like we were all going through it together. We found the correct room and decided what was going where, what we needed to move. Once we’d set up we went to have a look outside whilst it was still light. We saw skeleton puppets which must have taken ages to make. Later on I decided to watch it from a distance and follow it round. We were dancing all the way round. I felt like I could go out because there was a room that at you could go to. The quiet space gave me the space to get used to it and to think about going out or not. I could choose which space to be in.
“The quiet space gave me the space to get used to it and to think about going out or not. I could choose which space to be in.”
Lucy:
We had 35 visitors to the space we created – some popped in and had a look, some stayed for all of the parade, whilst the rest of their family took part. Some might think this isn’t very many in a parade of a few hundred, but we think it absolutely was worthwhile. If we were able to create something which allowed people to join in a community event, which they might not have felt able to come to before, then we have done a GOOD thing. And we’re all about good things.
You can see lots more photos and videos of the event on Cecil Green Arts’ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CecilGreenArts