Mathilda's mission to make festivals accessible for all

"Being less mobile and using a wheelchair and mobility aids for a long duration during my recovery—and going to a festival for the first time post-surgery—is what actually made me experience all the invisible barriers and realize festivals need a lot of work to be more inclusive for everyone." — Mathilda Gatsby.

In this episode of Movao LIVE, I talk with Mathilda Gatsby, who is dedicated to making a change in a world where accessibility is often an afterthought. Born with a limb difference known as Symes, where she was born without one of her feet, she had her first amputation as a baby and her second elective below-knee amputation four years ago. Mathilda has become a passionate advocate for accessibility—especially within the festival scene. Her journey is not only about overcoming personal challenges but also about transforming festival spaces to be more inclusive for everyone.

Continue reading this interview recap with Mathilda, or check out the full, unedited video below on YouTube for even more heartfelt moments!

Reflecting on her childhood, Mathilda shared, "As a younger child, I used to get on with it and play well with all the other kids, and in fact, at one stage, I was the best tree climber in my school... I did everything normally." She traveled extensively and attended many festivals with her family—experiences that taught her resilience and adaptability in a world that isn't always accommodating to people with disabilities, qualities that would later fuel her advocacy work.

A real turning point in her journey occurred after her second amputation surgery. "It was an elective surgery, but I was really glad that I had it," she explained. While living in New Zealand at the time, Mathilda faced numerous challenges—from navigating hilly terrain to dealing with repeated infections that left her reliant on crutches and wheelchairs. "I spent a lot of time in pain rather than not in pain, and I felt just a bit miserable, actually—coupled with the fact that I was a teenage girl and an amputee going through lots of issues and incredibly conscious of my body," she admitted. That was a particularly tough stage in her life.

Mathilda's passion for improving accessibility was ignited when she returned to the UK and attended the Good Vibrations Festival. "Being less mobile and using a wheelchair and mobility aids for a long duration during my recovery—and going to a festival for the first time post-surgery—is what actually made me experience all the invisible barriers and realize festivals need a lot of work to be more inclusive for everyone," she recalled. This experience motivated her to reach out to the festival organizers, offering her insights and expertise to make the event more inclusive.

Not only did they seek her advice, but they also offered Mathilda a job at the Good Vibrations Festival, where she implemented numerous accessible changes, including improved parking, entry gates, and complimentary tickets for personal assistants. She worked to enhance the festival's physical setup, ensuring there were more accessible toilets and clear signage. "We created an accessible map so that people knew where important facilities were," she explained. Her efforts didn't stop there—she also developed an accessibility guide for festival staff to help them effectively support attendees with disabilities, ensuring her impact would be long-lasting.

Accessible Map - Good Vibrations Festival:

Throughout the interview, Mathilda shared valuable advice for individuals with disabilities who are looking to attend festivals. "I would definitely look for festivals that have clear accessibility signage on their website. Don't be afraid to reach out to the team—even if they don't advertise their accessibility features, it's best to contact them so they can support you during the event. Festival organizers are very nice; they want to ensure everyone has fun," she advised. Her message is clear: with the right preparation and support, everyone can enjoy the festival experience.

We'd love to hear about the accessibility barriers you've faced—whether while traveling, attending festivals or live music events, or visiting attractions. Comment below or reach out to us if you have a story to share.