The Deep, an iconic aquarium in Hull, has been recognised with the prestigious T.I.C Friends Public Venue Award at the 2024 T.I.C Awards, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hull. This accolade highlights The Deep’s exceptional efforts in creating an inclusive environment for individuals with Tourette Syndrome and their families.
The award ceremony, organised by the charity Tourettes-Syndrome Inclusion in the Community (T.I.C) Yorkshire, celebrated the ongoing commitment of local organisations to fostering inclusion within community spaces.
The awards ceremony: A celebration of inclusivity
The T.I.C Awards brought together a diverse array of organisations from across Hull & East Yorkshire, all of which have made significant strides in supporting those with Tourette Syndrome. The event focused on two main awards: the T.I.C Friends Public Venue Award and the T.I.C Friends Community Organisation Award.
These accolades recognise the dedication of local institutions to ensuring that individuals with Tourette Syndrome and their families feel safe, included, and supported in public spaces.
The Deep’s commitment to inclusivity
The Deep’s journey towards this recognition began in November 2023, when they welcomed the team from T.I.C Yorkshire to deliver a specialised training session. This training was designed to educate staff from various departments—ranging from front-of-house to behind-the-scenes—on how to better support visitors with TIC (Tourettes Inclusion in the Community) and Tourette Syndrome. As a result of this training, The Deep earned the designation of a T.I.C Friendly Establishment, a testament to their commitment to inclusivity.
CEO Insights: A message of gratitude and inspiration
Katy Duke, Chief Executive Officer of The Deep, expressed her gratitude for the award, stating,
“We are very grateful to have received the T.I.C Friends Public Venue Award and proud to be recognised as a T.I.C Friendly Establishment in Hull. Hopefully, this will continue to inspire more local organisations to get in touch with T.I.C Yorkshire and register for the training, as the support provided by their team has been invaluable.”
Her sentiments were echoed by Kim Mitchell, CEO of T.I.C Yorkshire, who emphasised the importance of such inclusive public spaces.
“It is often really difficult to find public spaces that allow our families to feel safe and included,” she noted. “The Deep is doing an amazing job and is well deserving of this award. We thank you.”
The impact of the T.I.C friends initiative
The T.I.C Friends initiative aims to educate and support public venues and organisations in creating environments that are welcoming to individuals with Tourette Syndrome. Through training and certification, organisations like The Deep can better understand the unique challenges faced by those with Tourette Syndrome and implement practices that foster inclusivity and acceptance.
Encouraging further participation
The recognition of The Deep as a T.I.C Friendly Establishment serves as a beacon for other local organisations to follow suit. The hope is that more venues across Hull & East Yorkshire will engage with T.I.C Yorkshire, participate in the training, and commit to creating inclusive spaces for all.
For more information on The Deep and its efforts towards inclusivity, visit their website at www.thedeep.co.uk or contact their Communications & Marketing Officer, Cora Hairsine.
The Deep is a trading name of Running Deep Limited, a company dedicated to promoting inclusivity and education through its renowned aquarium in Hull. For inquiries or further information, please refer to the contact details provided.
