We strive to be an organisation that understands what it means to be a welcoming and safe space for all. Our aim is to reflect the diversity of our communities (e.g. socio-economic, race, disability, sexuality, education, accessibility, neuro-diversity) through the work on our stages, our workforce, those we partner with, our engagement activities and by ensuring our buildings are as accessible as they can be.

Our Diversity Action Group (DAG) is made up of staff, board members and paid external co-opted members to agree measurable targets in the short, medium and long-term and monitor our progress on the journey. We have broadened the focus of our DAG to include disability, alongside their existing focus on ethnic diversity.

We look forward to continuing to embed the learnings from the DAG in our working practices and working with our local cultural partners. Examples of our work in the prior year include:

• We signed up to the Access Manifesto, developed by Graeae and 20 Stories High and increased our number of access performances alongside reviewing our wider access practice.
• Invested in a global majority leadership mentoring scheme in partnership with Liverpool Royal Court and Curious Minds.
• Strengthened our commitment to increased representation within our casting and creative teams, and staged the premiere of Takeaway, a new play set in a Toxteth Caribbean takeaway by Nathan Powell.

We’ve acknowledged the impact of institutional racism in our sector and are working hard to ensure that we are an anti-racist organisation and that our initiatives do not perpetuate inequality.

Changing attitudes and established working practices does not happen overnight. We continue to learn and take steps on our journey of change and remain grateful for the continued wisdom and help of our Diversity Action Group, past and present.