Experience Bodmin Differently

Powered and supported by our team, the session was organised by Access Cornwall in partnership with organisations including Cornwall Mobility, iSight Cornwall and Equally ABLED, inviting decision-makers to step directly into the lived experiences of people with disabilities. Participants took on everyday journeys through the town centre—routes many of us take for granted. Yet when approached in a wheelchair or with restricted vision, those same journeys quickly became far more challenging. Cornwall Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost travelled a short 0.3-mile stretch along Fore Street—something that would normally take just a few minutes. However, the experience revealed how navigating Bodmin can feel more like negotiating a maze when accessibility is limited. And when an unexpected downpour set in, the reality of those challenges became even more apparent.

While tools like wheelchairs and impairment goggles provided a glimpse into accessibility barriers, organisers were clear: nothing can fully replicate the real, daily experiences of disabled residents. Still, even this brief insight proved eye-opening. Councillors described feelings ranging from frustration to fatigue and even anxiety—emotions many people with mobility or vision impairments encounter regularly. The goal wasn’t to “replicate” disability, but to build empathy, awareness, and urgency for change.

Leadership Backed by Lived Experience

The day was supported by Deputy Mayor Cllr Peter Skea and Cornwall Councillor Steven Webb, both wheelchair users and strong advocates for accessibility. For them, this wasn’t just an exercise—it was a chance for colleagues to experience first-hand the barriers they navigate every day. Their message was simple: understanding leads to better decisions.

Building a More Accessible Bodmin

According to Access Cornwall Director Viki Carpenter, there is strong momentum behind efforts to make Bodmin more inclusive, with accessibility now a clear priority for the town council.

This work forms part of the wider Experience Bodmin project—an initiative led by Cornwall Council to position the town as a vibrant, year-round destination. Through events like this, alongside free accessibility training for local businesses, the project is shining a spotlight on the need for greater inclusivity and helping to ensure Bodmin works for everyone—residents, visitors and businesses alike.

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Photos: Bodmin Mayor and local councillors engaging throughout the day (top right and bottom right)