Accessibility and inclusivity in theatre – Breaking down barriers

Next Door But One is an award-winning, LGBTQ+ and disability-led theatre company based in York. At its heart, the company exists to connect people to their creativity and community through the theatre they make and the stories they tell.

Their work is bold, inclusive, and rooted in people’s real lives. They specialise in making theatre with and for people who often face the greatest barriers to the arts, disabled people, those experiencing mental ill health, bereaved people, unpaid carers, girls and women from lower-income backgrounds, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Using theatre to tell every story

Next Door But One delivers everything from workshops and touring performances to training programmes and professional development. In the last year, they’ve engaged more than 10,000 people across 293 events and supported 324 local freelancers to grow their skills and careers in the arts.

Their vision is for a future where the arts help every community unlock its potential, and where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.

How funding helped spark new ideas

A three-year grant from the Walk in my Shoes programme has been a turning point. In the first year, the grant allowed the team to pause and reflect, hosting strategic away days and community consultations to shape their next three years of growth.

This led to five ‘action days’ with partners to focus on policy, monitoring, and shared planning. As a result, stronger collaborations were built with organisations like IDAS, Explore York, and Castaway Goole, ensuring that new creative projects could be co-designed to meet real community needs.

Turning listening into action

The feedback collected helped shape a new set of inclusive programmes. These include:

  • Public speaking sessions for young carers preparing to enter employment.
  • Forum theatre workshops for people with learning disabilities, building confidence and life skills.
  • Creative sessions for girls from low-income backgrounds, helping them grow friendships and self-esteem.
  • Accessible performances for adults living with mental ill health, helping them re-engage with the arts in a safe and welcoming way.

Their work in schools and youth services is also growing. They’ve extended their popular POW (arts and empowerment) programme to Clifton Green Primary School and piloted a new project with Show Me That I Matter, York’s Children in Care Council.

Voices from the programme

The impact of their work is best heard from those who take part:

‘This is my safe space where I can just be me – I can cry and then howl with laughter and all of that is allowed. It’s teaching me to be unselfish – that I need to look after me first. I need to charge my own batteries. Being somewhere where you know people just get it and truly understand what you are going through is invaluable. What this does is it opens up all the boxes and says it’s ok not to know all the answers, it’s ok to feel all the feelings, it’s ok for it to feel messy. This is the happiest I’ve been all year.’          

A parent shared:

“There was such a transformation in my daughters—going from apprehensive to absolutely buzzing. They were so proud of what they’d created. I honestly don’t think my eldest stopped talking all the way home!”

And from community partners:

“Next Door But One have been brilliant. They really understand the young people we work with and adapt their sessions to be fun, safe, and impactful.”

“They’re a vital part of York’s cultural and community landscape—helping our young people grow, thrive, and enjoy being creative.”

‘I can’t tell you how wonderful your team were … oh yes I can… they were absolutely fantastic. What they did was totally perfect; bringing people out of themselves, shaking up the love, making it a truly communal, and memorable night for everyone. So. Much. Joy!’

Looking forward

With the next instalment of funding, Next Door But One plans to launch a responsive access fund, so even more people from underserved communities can access workshops and performances.

This is just the start of their long-term vision to become York’s leading theatre company specialising in applied theatre for underrepresented groups. And with a clear plan shaped by community voices, they are well on their way.

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