1. Hull Truck Theatre
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  3. Inclusion
Inclusion

Inclusion

Hull Truck Theatre is committed to creating a safe and welcoming space for all our communities to enjoy and feel valued within.  

One of the main aims of our Theatre is to engage with people across our audiences, artists, workforce and Board who reflect the diversity of our region and our nation:  

Our Inclusion Action Group is a team of staff who are responsible for ensuring that Hull Truck Theatre is accessible for all. By learning from different voices, we aim to break down barriers and structures that may be excluding people who wish to be part of our creative community.  

The Inclusion Action Group devised the following animation film. We hope that this film demonstrates Hull Truck Theatre’s commitment to being a diverse and inclusive organisation.

What are we doing?   

  1. Hull Truck Theatre is a member of the government’s Disability Confident Scheme – Level 2: Disability Confident Employer – working to improve the recruitment, retention and development of disabled people.     

  1. We are a key partner with Parents & Carers in Performance Arts (PIPA).     

  1. We are committed to creating connections with local disability groups and individuals, to help inform our inclusive practises and learn from those with lived experience.   

  1. Our Community Partnership Coordinator works closely with groups and organisations in HU3 and HU6 (low arts engagement areas), in addition to organisations specifically supporting Sanctuary Seekers across the city. We run projects and visit the groups regularly - learning about the barriers to attending the theatre and working to remove them so we can make Hull Truck Theatre accessible and welcoming to all.    

  1. We have changed our recruitment procedures to break down the barriers that may prevent people from applying for a job.   

    • We use clear language in our job descriptions. 
    • We no longer ask for unnecessary information in our application form, such as previous criminal convictions.   
    • We have created a more user-friendly application form template and ask people to apply in the easiest way for them - this could be on the template or by video for example.  
    • We have mixed gender panels. 
    • We send out interview topics before interviews.  
        

  1. We have re-examined our casting policy and are committed to -  

    • Increasing representation on our stages, across a range of cultural identities. 
    • Embedding kindness, well-being and  safety/dignity at work across all areas. 
    • Ensuring our artistic programme has space for a range of diverse voices and perspectives to be heard and celebrated.
         

  1. HTT staff have undertaken training in various areas – including how to support disabled, deaf, neurodiverse and LGBTQ+ communities - and brought people into the organisation to challenge our unconscious bias.  We have also enabled nine staff members and one freelance practitioner to complete BSL Level One.     

  1. We have introduced regularly scheduled Baby Friendly performances, aimed at those with babies under 18 months, to help remove attendance barriers for new parents. We are also a breastfeeding friendly organisation and part of the Hull Milk Trail.     

  1. We have a Programming Advisory Group, which is a team of staff who are responsible for discussing and questioning programming decisions. This team frequently meets with our Inclusion Action Group to discuss how we are embedding access throughout the events programme and to allow for feedback on how to take this further.   

  1. Our executive team took part in the Ramps on the Moon Change Programme in 25-26.  This programme focuses on Disability Equality, Anti-Ableism and organisational change, with a view to support arts organisations to more deeply embed disability equality into their culture and systems.     

  1. We are part of the Beyond Programme, an Artist Development scheme by Graeae, which was created to support Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent artists to develop their careers. The programme partners with regional theatres to offer better access to regional opportunities.   

  1. Hull Truck Theatre hopes to soon be recognised as a Theatre of Sanctuary – highlighting the theatre’s commitment to showing solidarity to and welcoming those who are seeking sanctuary in our city and region. 
      
     

The following tables outlines our workforce data for 23-24. Whilst we remain proud of the commitment to change thus far, our progress in the diversity of our core team is slow and we will be doing further targeted work in order to build on this each year.   

Workforce Data 23-24.jpg

Hull Truck Theatre is signed up and committed to UK Theatre's 10 Principles for Safe and Inclusive Workspaces.  

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