Hundreds of residents in Sunderland are gaining free access to BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend festival, which kicks off at Herrington Country Park this Friday, 22 May 2026, and runs through Sunday, 24 May 2026.
Through the Access for All programme, organisers are providing tickets, travel, and food vouchers to local people who face financial or social barriers. The initiative is specifically designed to support children and young people with care experience, as well as those from low-income households, offering them an opportunity to participate in a major cultural event that might otherwise be out of reach.
The programme is supported by a coalition of regional sponsors, including the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, the University of Sunderland, Sunderland College, Gentoo, and Big Green Coach. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness noted that the investment aims to bring significant cultural moments directly into working-class communities to ensure they remain inclusive for all residents.
As a civic university, the University of Sunderland is participating in the scheme as part of its commitment to improving the lives of those who live, work, and study in the city. The festival itself, hosted at the former site of the Herrington Colliery, is also a key feature of the Sunderland City Council One Big Summer programme.
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