Samhain Featherstone Questionnaire

Key Takeaways

At the last gathering we experimented with a post-event questionnaire to see what we could learn from Fae’s experiences. This is a summary of the results and key comments that are relevant for future event planning. The amount of raw data was extensive, so I’ve abbreviated and merged comments, and left out comments on aspects beyond the lead team’s control.

If you want to read the full results you can follow this link:

https://www.allcounted.com/share?view=summary&nid=rw76mad82br29&ic=92757057

access code: 92757057

Welfare

  • 70% of Fae felt safe at the castle
  • 46% Knew how to get hold of a Welfarie if they needed them
  • 34% Knew what to do in an emergency

Key Comments:

  • Uncertainty around what to do in a fire
  • Not enough hand gel
  • Request for a walkie talkie so it was possible to contact a Welfairie
  • Request for quiet space

Dining Arrangements

  • 93% liked the different dining spaces (Main Hall, Quiet, Naked)
  • 68% liked the table-by-table system
  • 2% preferred one big queue

Key Comments:

  • Questionnaire writer encouraged to ask “did you need these dining arrangements” rather than “did you like them” to reflect the reality that noise and crowds are accessibility issues, rather than preferences
  • Quiet space was a ‘game changer’ for some Fae, enabling them to participate in group meals, rather than self-segregate and miss out on bonding opportunities
  • A lot of praise for the table-by-table system

Food

  • 93% Thought the food quality was good
  • 6% Thought there wasn’t enough food
  • 3% felt their dietary requirement wasn’t well catered for

Key Comments

  • A huge amount of praise for the food
  • Someone had an onion intolerance and found it hard to avoid them
  • Praise for using local suppliers

Rooms

  • 70% Found a room easily in the castle
  • 21% struggled to find a room
  • 21% were in a room that was too crowded

Key Comments:

  • Before the event a trans Fae requested a trans/non-binary dorm, but this was ignored and that faerie found it challenging being isolated with cis-gendered dorm
  • A group ‘quiet dorm’ was trialled last year (all of the Fae requesting a quiet dorm were put in a room together, upstairs in the anxex). It did not work well due to a large amount of coming and going, and snorers in the room.

Communal Spaces

  • 90% Felt the communal spaces were warm enough
  • 46% Were able to find a quiet space in the castle

Key Comments:

  • Not being able to find a quiet space was overwhelming for a number of Fae
  • There were multiple objections to Princess Vibes moving into the Love Temple as their bedroom
  • There was an objection to too many film screenings in the Blue Room as it was to only warm chatting space
  • A request for more and better décor throughout the castle
  • The Ballroom is too cold
  • There is often no indoor space that does not have a workshop in it.
  • Frustration that the gun room is the ‘drugs &  alcohol room’, particularly as it is also the main music space
  • Praise for the current location of the love temple (quiet and intimate)
  • A request to have the Love Temple on the 1st floor for accessibility reasons

Gathering Size / Overcrowding

  • 21% Very Overcrowded
  • 39% A Bit Overcrowded
  • 24% Just Right
  • 15% Comfortable inviting more

Key Comments:

  • Many comments that it was challenging/intense
  • Overcrowding made accessibility issues worse
  • It was hard to connect in noisy and crowded spaces
  • It felt less intimate and people were less likely to acknowledge each other as individuals
  • It should be clearly stated in the call how big the gathering will be, so Fae can make an informed choice if it is the right size for them
  • The carpark was too full
  • Loved the amount of people, but acknowledged the size it made it hard for other Fae
  • Happy that more trans fem/enby/queer women were there
  • The amount of activity and noise made sleeping difficult
  • Too many Fae made too many conflicting needs inevitable
  • Recommendation for not more than 80 Fae
  • Recommendation for not more than 40 Fae

Other Comments

  • Difficulties with the amount of drugs and alcohol present at the castle
  • Comments on the inaccessibility of many spaces for the mobility impaired
  • The reality of the castle didn’t resemble the call