Everyone Belongs at Hackney Shed

Hackney Shed uses a person-centred approach to removing barriers to accessing the arts. Barriers may be due to finance, Disability, systemic inequality, language or communication barriers, immigration status or any other access need.

We are a group that is open to everyone however we are committed to actively recruiting and fore-fronting the talents of Disabled young people.

Young people in a theatre performance
Group of young people performing theatre
Group of children wearing white shirts and lab coats as part of a production project with Hackney Shed
Large Group of Young people in a theatre performance
Group of children performing in a theatre with elaborate outfits

Hackney Shed strives to be accessible through providing:

  • Having free or donation-based sessions

  • Providing objects in the room to support access such as ear defenders, fidget toys, visual timetables]

  • Choosing our spaces carefully with access in mind (both thinking about step free and also access to break out spaces for example)

  • When possible, supporting with travel or transport when that is a barrier to attending sessions

  • Access riders for staff and volunteers

  • High ratios of staff to young people

  • Working with individual members to support their needs (one size does not fit all)

  • Working with young people over a long period of time, there is no rush for young people to join in a typical way if they need to work towards it

  • Providing outreach sessions where we go to locations (groups, school, organisations) where the young people wouldn’t be able to attend our general sessions

  • Committed to using everyone’s preferred names and pronouns

  • Working with skilled staff and providing ongoing training for staff and volunteers

  • Providing scripts in different formats such as visual, audio recorded, large print

  • Working with the groups to build a culture of inclusion and valuing the contribution of everyone at Hackney Shed

  • Recruiting staff and volunteers that are representative of the young people who attend our sessions

“Hackney Shed was the first place my child felt able to request that his preferred name and pronouns be used.”

Parent