Last December was our Hackney Shed Slam 2023. Our monologue competition between Hackney Secondary students went amazing. Hear what UCL’s Student Union has to say about the event!

THE HACKNEY SHED SLAM 2023 UCL ARTICLE

Hackney Shed Film Project: “A Frame of Mind”

Are you interested in acting? Do you want to create a short film?Are you between 14-19 years old? 

Come join the Hackney Shed Film Project!

We will be exploring the theme of Memory to create original stories for camera.

Click on the link below for more details and information about dates, location etc.

WEEKLY Sessions

  • Go to our SHED GROUPS page to find out more.

  • All our weekly groups are full, however, spaces become available regularly, so please do get in touch by email (below) to join our waiting list.

  • Also, we often plan one-off projects so email us to join our mailing list and to keep up-to-date on Hackney Shed news.

  • Email info@hackneyshed.org.uk

  • Follow us on social media to keep up-to-date on activities.

HOW TO SUPPORT OUR WORK AT THIS TIME

Hackney Shed are able to keep running our activities at this time through generous donations and grants. Should you want to, there are various ways you can help us to ensure our work continues:

  • If you take part in our sessions you can email contact@hackneyshed.org.uk and ask for our bank details. This will ensure Hackney Shed receive all funds and no commission is taken.

  • Make a Secure Donation to Hackney Shed via Paypal Every donation, big or small, really helps.

  • Sign up to Easy Fundraising. A really simple thing (with no extra cost to you) and means every time you shop online, Hackney Shed receive a small donation from the retailer.

ABOUT HACKNEY SHED

Hackney Shed is a performing arts group for young people. We believe that every member of the group has something special to offer to the development of the art, and the development of the group. Hackney Shed works hard to provide an exciting, vibrant, creative and accepting place for children and young people to come together, share ideas and produce exciting theatre.

Established in 2001 with the support Chickenshed Theatre, we are now an independent charity.
We are proud of our heritage and we are excited about the future as we continue to grow.

 

WORKSHOPS FOR
7-25 YEAR OLDS

We run theatre workshops in venues across Hackney. Each group works at its own pace and everyone is encouraged to develop their own ideas within the framework developed by practitioners.

Find out more, including times and dates of the groups by clicking on each group below

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

7-11 years old

YOUTH THEATRE

11-16 years old

YOUNG COMPANY

16–19 years old

HACKNEY SHED COLLECTIVE

16-25 years old (with a focus on those with learning disabilities and/or autism).

EXCELLENCE

Hackney Shed has been awarded a Bronze Quality Mark by London Youth:

“The Quality Mark is London Youth's flagship Quality Assurance programme, and provides youth organisations with a badge of excellence that is recognised by local authorities and funders."

MENTORING AND TRAINING

Another key area of Hackney Shed's focus is our mentoring and training. We offer opportunities for young people to support other young people across our groups and take more responsibilities, getting practice to become practitioners themselves.

Young people are encouraged to support around projects depending where their interest lie.

We also have many skilled volunteer practitioners who attend each week and we offer termly training for their development in our inclusive processes.

DONATE WHAT YOU CAN

We have a suggested £25 per term donation but we never turn anyone away due to financial difficulty.

SUPPORTING ARTISTS AND FACILITATORS

We are proud to be an accredited Living Wage Employer.

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE

Hackney Shed offers an accessible and inclusive place where children and young people can become valuable members of the company, exploring their creativity and working inclusively with their peers.

Our children and young people attend both special and mainstream education in the borough.

We work with individuals considering what access requirements they have.  Our inclusive approach focuses on meeting the young people, getting to know them and work together to make sure their needs are met in sessions. 

Find out more about our inclusive approach directly from one of our members. Click HERE to listen to Kitty’s story
 

SUPPORTERS

Hackney Shed is generously
supported by:

BSix College Visit website
The Henry Smith Charity
City Bridge Trust UK Youth Cost of Living Fund West Hackney Parochial Charity St James’ Place
Discover Young Hackney
Hackney Parochial Charity
D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
The Backstage Trust Hackney Council National Lottery (Awards for All England) East End Community Fund Groundwork (Tesco)

What People Say About Hackney Shed

Testimonials

It's non competitive and encourages cooperation, collaboration and celebration of people's differing strengths.

Hackney Shed doesn't just support children and young people the benefits spill over to parents and carers too, especially around well being, knowing the 'shed' members are being well catered for.

“Hackney Shed provides a unique service to communities across Hackney which is financially accessible (unlike others). It's format is vital in respect of social cohesion and providing space for the development of young people in a way which is non judgemental and inclusive”

A really fun drama space where you could feel safe and comfortable expressing ideas. I've met so many cool people I wouldn't have without this.

Hackney Shed is a marvellous, shining example of genuine, meaningful inclusion.

“It is a rare and valuable opportunity to meet and make friends, socialise, develop his independence and feel rightly proud of himself”

“Hackney Shed is great and continues to wow - great for kids and parents.”

“Great energy. Inclusive for all. Creative teaching which allows children/young people opportunities to gain confidence”

"The best thing is that we have a proper theatre, with lights and costumes and musicians and everything, so when we do a show it feels like a real show, not just kids.”

"Hackney Shed enriches my child's life on so many levels. She is not only learning theatre skills, but so much more. She is learning about community and co-operation, and is gaining in confidence and self-worth."

"As a parent with a child with special needs I value the inclusivity over and above everything. This is from the point of view both of how good it is for him to feel included and valued but also from the point of view of my other two children who are able to see him and others with special needs being on an equal footing."

"We have been Hackney residents for nearly 20 years and have been very proud to find such an excellent opportunity for all children right on our doorstep."