First Story’s new Young Creatives Programme enables young people from under-served communities to develop employment skills and networks in the creative industries, with the ultimate aim to increase access to employment and diversify the workforce.

We are currently seeking an Assistant Festival Producer Intern to work closely with our Regional Programme and Partnership Manager to produce our first Young Writers Festival North in Manchester alongside our wider team.

You will gain a general overview of event production, fundraising and youth engagement. It’s also a chance to gain the skills required to make your first steps into the world of arts administration and event production and will be a valuable contribution to your CV.

We are seeking applications from dance artists or companies based in the North (priority is given to artists based in Yorkshire) to take part in our Dance Partner Projects 2025-26

Dance Partner Projects is open to dance artists or companies who are based in the North (priority is given to artists based in Yorkshire). The programme aims to provide dance artists/ companies at different career stages with an opportunity to research and develop a new or early-stage artistic project.

The 3 artists or companies selected for Dance Partner Projects will benefit from: 

Through our ongoing partnership with Tin Arts, we are committed to supporting one artist with a learning disability and/or autism through this programme. In addition to the support outlined above, this artist/company will benefit from:

Join our Open Rehearsals in Bristol, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Cardiff or London!

Is playing with a Regional NOYO Ensemble for you? If you’re interested in joining from September 2025, a great way to find out is to join one of our Open Rehearsals in person or online in January, February and March 2025.

This is your chance to watch a rehearsal, meet some of the Music Leaders and musicians in your region, and ask any questions you might have.

Open Rehearsals are relaxed and will take place where we rehearse, in accessible venues.

Applications for Regional NOYO Ensembles will be open from 14 February – 31 March 2025 for 11-25 year-old musicians.

We also welcome applications from young disabled people with musical potential who might not yet play an instrument but control eyegaze technology or head trackers in a way that could transfer to playing the Clarion accessible instrument.

Details of NOYO Open Rehearsals in Bristol, Birmingham, Bournemouth, London and Cardiff can be found below:

Bristol NOYO Ensemble, Beacon Music Centre, BS10 5SJ

Birmingham NOYO Ensemble, Birmingham Symphony Hall, B1 2EA

Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble, The Spire, Poole, BH15 1DF

London NOYO Ensemble, Milton Court, EC2Y 9BH

Cardiff NOYO Ensemble, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, CF10 3ER

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.

START is the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre's free 6 week programme for young people aged 16 to 25, who live in West London, who are not currently in education, employment, or training.

START provides a space for you to creatively explore the world of performance, working over six weeks to create a new piece of theatre that responds to the themes of a Lyric Main House production, led by theatre professionals. Through engaging with drama activities, skill sharing, and watching live performances, our START cohort will build on their self-confidence, collaboration skills, emotional resilience, and self-esteem. Through this, the cohort will cultivate a group ethic of inclusivity, accessibility, encouragement, respect and affirmation. This project is underpinned by a Bronze Arts Award accreditation.

‘START let me explore my interests without anyone judging me, I just tried everything! It was so validating to just be myself, how I want to be. START was like making a family- now I feel like I can do anything.’ – Participant, 2024

What is START?

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. 

Energy Train is a free 6-week course for people aged 15+ and living with a disability. Hosted at the Millennium Forum, you will learn DJ skills from Oliver Brown and Silver Fox Entertainment DJ Compere Kevin Boyle.

Please email Lisa for more information.

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

Read me aloud