A music festival that is accessible to all without separate areas is back after hundreds of people travelled from around the country to attend the inaugural event.

J-Fest is held in memory of Jody Dickinson who 'just loved music' who died aged 32 last year.

Hundreds of people travelled from around the country to attend the first event last summer.

Although Jody had profound disabilites, including being registered deaf/blind, she loved music and attending festivals, raves, carnvials and nightclubs.

Music was her therapy, said her family, who set up Bass Therapy last year.

Kyley Dickinson, Jody’s sister and the festival's organiser, said: "J-Fest was created as a celebration of life festival for Jody as when she passed away, lockdown restrictions were still strict and we felt she deserved more that what we could do after her funeral.

"It went from having a few DJs and bands playing in her memory, to selling nearly 1,000 tickets to an amazing event focusing on accessibility.

“When one family from Banbury left they said how amazing it was for everything to feel so inclusive.

“There was not a ‘condescending corner’ for people with disabilities.

"Another festival-goer, whose son requires additional assistance, said 'it's so nice not to have any patronising pats on the head or comments of “ahh what a shame” which is something they usually experience when out.'"

But J-Fest is not exclusively for people with disabilites and additional needs.

Kyley said: "Jody loved to party with friends and family and being surrounded by that festival environment. J-Fest wants to be the embodiment of this with everyone partying together. No restrictions, no separation - it is about inclusion not exclusion.

"A lot of people take for granted just how much our mental health improves by listening to music, it really can be therapy - unfortunately for a lot of people with disabilities or additional needs this is near on impossible to achieve at standard festivals."

J-Fest is aiming to include as many accessible elements as possible including Mobiloo, sign language interpreters, accessible aerial acrobatics, accessible climbing wall, accessible DJ workshops and accessible street art workshops.

There is limited pre-booked specialist accessible glamping accommodation with profile beds and overnight oxygen (there is no public camping) plus a low-noise pyromusical illusion fireworks display.

Two stages run with DJs and bands alternately are positioned so that people in wheelchairs and those with lots of equipment do not need to move around the site but can simply turn to face another direction.

The line-up is inspired by Jody’s taste in music, however, there is something for everyone. The headliner, Dr Meaker Live Band, live drum and bass, is playing Glastonbury this year.

Other acts are Dakka Skanks (ska/dub/reggae), David Boomah Live PA (jungle), Damo (90s classics), Green Haze (UK's leading Green Day tribute band) and Konfluent (house).

Kyley's boyfriend and co-founder of Bass Therapy, Nodstar, will also play Jody's Memorial Set, featuring all the songs she loved him to play for her.

She said: "We have fantastic food vendors from across Oxfordshire and beyond, there will be children's entertaiment, face-painting and glitter, a new for 2022 Soak Stand and the incredibly popular crockery smash will be making a return - it really is an wonderful day out!"

J-Fest will be offering free carers tickets which obviously impacts them financially and because of this they are looking for local companies to offer sponsorship.

With a capacity for just under 5,000 people, they say there is great scope for a huge number of people to see the support shown via sponsorship.

Anyone looking to become involved with an organisation hoping to change the face of accessibility and inclusion at events, can contact Kyley at Bass Therapy to discuss becoming a Patron.

J-Fest is on Sunday August 28, 2022, at Landmead Farm, between east Hanney and Marcham. Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/J-FEST

For more information, go to J-Fest.co.uk or email J-fest@basstherapy.co.uk