Hull Truck Theatre are celebrating this week after being awarded the Colleague Network Award.
The Scope Awards celebrate those who are working to end disability inequality, bringing people together, using collective power to change attitudes and achieve a mission of an equal future for disabled people. The success at Hull truck can be linked to the development of their, Inclusion Access Group, which was originally formed back in 2017 and is made up of employees from all areas of the organisations, at varying different levels. They all come together quarterly to share ideas, offer challenge and champion accessibility and inclusion both on and off stage.
Janthi Mills-Ward, Executive Director and Joint CEO at Hull Truck Theatre, said: “Winning the Scope Inclusion Award is a huge honour and is testament to the hard work and creative mindset of the whole team. For Hull Truck Theatre to be recognised alongside outstanding organisations such as Google, BT and OVO makes this achievement even more special. The theatres inclusion action group ultimately doesn’t just talk about inclusion; it drives forward change and best practice. I’m incredibly proud of the brilliant team, whose passion, commitment and hard work continue to make a real difference every day.”
Inclusion is one of the core values at Hull Truck Theatre and it's very much embedded into everything they do as an organisation, from a range of accessible performances, through to installation of stoma friendly facilities, making sure the backstage area is fitted with automatic door operators, lights system for deaf performers and adapting interview process.
While they are proud of their success Hull Truck also recognised that access is always an ongoing journey, but to be recognised on this scale for their efforts and achievements in this area is a fantasic achievement and is testament to the truly inspiring team at Hull Truck Theatre!