Making Mischief Oral Project, 'Para Carnival' full

London College of Fashion

Bettina and her husband Richard set up Para Carnival in 2010. She describes it as an all-inclusive carnival group working with vulnerable people. Many of the members are disabled, use wheelchairs or live with conditions such as autism. About 400 people take part each season in dance classes, festivals and local parties, and many take part in both the Notting Hill and Hackney Carnivals as well. Richard is the main costume-maker. He once made a Bayana costume for a wheelchair in one night. For each carnival, they come up with a theme such as Egyptian or Windrush. They either create costumes from scratch or modify previous costumes.