We’re pleased to announce that Arts and Homelessness International (AHI) in collaboration with One Roof ODAC will be starting regular scratch nights to be held at Old Diorama Arts Centre (ODAC). The first event will take place on Friday 12th September 2025.
A scratch night is an event where artists/creatives with lived experience of homelessness can show work that is still in progress. This might be a song, a poem, a fragment of a play, or a visual artwork that isn’t yet finished. It’s a space to try things out, to explore, and to begin conversations around work that’s still forming.
These scratch nights are open to artists/creatived with lived experience as well as AHI & One Roof ODAC communities with lived experience of homelessness, creating a safe and supportive environment for artists/creatives at different stages of their careers to share and discuss their work. Discussion will play a huge part in these events.
We are especially keen for creatives and artists with lived experience of homelessness to attend; whether as performers or audience members as your voices and perspectives are at the heart of this programme.
All conversations will be guided by the Critical Response Process developed by artist Liz Lerman. This is a kind and supportive structure for group discussion, enabling valuable feedback from the audience without overwhelming artists with harsh criticism or unhelpful praise. It’s about going deeper, helping artists learn more about their own work and the processes of others.
Each night will feature three or four artists. The work could take many forms—performance, visual sketches, ideas, a few lines of a poem or song lyrics. After each presentation, there’ll be a structured discussion, and then we’ll move on to the next artist.
The atmosphere will be relaxed and informal, with plenty of opportunities to socialise and enjoy refreshments.We hope this scratch nights will become a regular feature of our community calendar—an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and support each other, artistically and socially.
Are you creative, living in Scotland and aged 8-30? Apply now for up to £500 for your creative activity or project.
Creative Scotland are working with Moniack Mhor to offer funding to support and encourage creative projects and activities by young people aged 8-30 in Scotland who may have experience of isolation or marginalisation.
Creativity takes all shapes and forms, so whether you are a writer, knitter, musician, graphic artist, street artist, dancer, photographer, film maker or potter – basically anything at all as long as it is creative – we would love to hear from you and help to support your work
Applications are open now until 18th November. They are assessed once a month by a steering group of young people who also have experience of isolation and marginalisation, so you can apply any time.
Individuals can apply for up to £500. Groups can apply for £500 per person, up to a maximum of £2000
Applications are now open for the 2025-26 cohort of the Bridge the Gap Producer Programme!
Apply to be one of 10 emerging producers from underrepresented backgrounds to take part in this year long development programme; gaining skills in commercial producing through monthly workshops, a mentor, coaching sessions, tickets to shows, access to grants and more!
Deadline: 12 noon on Friday 9 May
Apply online via our website.
Not sure if it's for you? Find out some more info in our Should I Apply? guide.
Stage One created Bridge the Gap to diversify the current field of commercial theatre producers and therefore strongly encourages individuals from underrepresented backgrounds and outside of London to apply. We want to support people from a Global Majority background, who identify as working class or from a lower socio-economic background, are LGBTQIA+, those that have a disability and/or are neurodivergent and/or those from a culturally or religiously Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim or Sikh background.
Zoo Co is keen to introduce more deaf and/or disabled people to the practicalities of being a Trustee with an arts organisation
We recognise that volunteer Trusteeships aren't always accessible to deaf and disabled people, so we've set up this programme as an experiment in changing that.
We'd like to offer two people the chance to observe each of our next two Board meetings, supported by our new Board Support Worker.
£100 per Board meeting (approx 0.5 days of work across 2 weeks, per Board date)
Dates: 6th May 6-8PM and 12th Aug 6-8PM
Location: Central London - meetings are usually held at the National Theatre (Central London) in person, though people can join remotely as needed.
You can apply to observe both meetings, or just one (ie. between 2 and 4 people will be selected to take part in this work). Please indicate in your application which dates you’re able to do.
Every year, we run courses around the UK for young people ages 14 to 25 who want to become members of the National Youth Theatre.
Entry to these courses is via audition only, and auditions are held between October 2024 and March 2025. There are three different routes you can take to audition, depending on where you’re based and how much availability you have:
You can only audition via one route each year, so have a read through each one before applying to decide which option works best for you.
Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.
The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:
Creative Youth Network (CYN) is committed to providing young people with new and exciting opportunities to broaden their skills and prepare them for life as an adult.
Creative Youth Network is a growing charity working with young people across the West of England. By building long lasting relationships, offering courses, support, drop ins and a range of arts and performance programmes we aim to help vulnerable young people reach their full potential.
Creative Youth Network also owns and manages a number of properties where we run our youth services, such as youth clubs and events. Trustees are volunteers with a passion for young people. The trustee role is unpaid, but the money you spend on travelling to meetings can be claimed and reimbursed. A full induction will be provided, and trustees are expected to attend around 7 meetings a year along with a half day strategic planning session.
Following support from the GeeWizz Charitable Foundation, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds are delighted to offer SENsory Youth Theatre.
These groups support young people who identify as learning disabled, neurodivergent, having SEN, or other social, emotional, and mental health needs. These groups give them the opportunity to participate in creative play within a fun, friendly, and accessible environment.
SENsory Youth Theatre starts a new term in January at Theatre Royal!
- Juniors (Ages 4 - 12) every Tuesday 4:15 - 4:50
- Seniors (Ages 13 - 18) every Tuesday 5 - 5:50
Departure Lounge is a relaxed drama project focussed on playing and communicating.
Workshops use movement, storytelling and improvisation to build confidence and independence, as well as developing drama and performance skills.
Departure Lounge is an imaginative space where participants can explore and tell stories.
Black Cab Company has always been at the heart of our work; making shows in Hackney since 1976.
Black Cab Company artists are learning disabled and autistic residents of East London, who are passionate about telling unusual stories about everyday life.
Black Cab Company have performed in London venues including Hoxton Hall, Rich Mix, Hackney Showroom and Chats Palace, as well as taking over unusual spaces in East London including Hoxton Street Market and Sutton House.
