“I have always liked theatre from a very young age, seeing others perform made me want to do it myself. I have a particular love for musical theatre and passion for singing. In a lot of theatre, disabled people are not represented properly and this is something that I’d like to be a part of changing in the arts. 

I wanted to join the Facilitator Training Programme because it can teach me new skills to improve my own practice in facilitating, but also teach those skills to others, so that more disabled people can be in the arts. It feels good to be a disabled person in a leadership position, I’m happy that there is more representation in workshops and sessions.” - Keziah Vaughan

“I’m a person that is interested in absolutely anything artistic or creative. I am a theatre maker, choosing to base a lot of my work on lived experience as there is so much joy in what it brings to art. I hope to bring more disabled and neurodivergent voices to theatres around the country in future.

I wanted to be a part of FTP to ensure that my work can be inclusive and accessible to all when I’m leading sessions. It’s important to me to see a wide range of individuals in the creative arts. I hope to be someone that can facilitate this.” - Evan Byrne

“Hello, I'm Sam Hooper, a performer and facilitator from Merseyside, and I have Down Syndrome. I've been a proud member of RAWD since I was fourteen because I'm passionate about all things performance—whether it's acting, singing, or dancing.

The FTP course has been a fantastic experience, helping me boost my confidence, especially in leadership and social skills, while giving me the chance to collaborate with a wonderfully diverse group of artists. I live independently in supported living, where I'm surrounded by supportive staff, friends, and family who always encourage me to keep pursuing my dreams and helping me make my mark as a performer and facilitator.” - Sam Hooper

“In terms of the art I make, I’m most interested in writing, specifically writing things which, whilst fun and escapist, have inclusive, diverse casts of characters and something to say, even if it’s small or in the background. In terms of the art I consume, I like science-fiction stories, raw personal outpourings, and performances that can bounce from uplifting to hilarious to heartbreaking with ease.

I want to be on this programme, because performing is fun, drama games are fun, and teaching people about art, performance and writing is just like paid info-dumping, and because I really admire and believe in RAWD’s mission statement, and the importance of inclusivity and accessibility. Goodness knows I, as a trans neurodivergent person, appreciate it.” - Bee Jones

Porcelain is a disabled multi-disciplinary artist and theatre maker passionate about sharing representative stories and advocating for accessibility. After working as a professional performer she grew frustrated at the lack of representative characters and stories and pivoted her practise into theatre making to share lesser told narratives. Her projects centre creative accessibility.

Porcelain works across a wide range of genres including: theatre, literature, circus, cabaret and dance. She likes to include aspects of different genres within her own shows to create unique experiences and push artistic boundaries.. Her cabaret acts headlined internationally including at: Cirque Le Soir Dubai, Reykjavik Kabarett , Wunder Kabarett Paris and many others.

“I started in the arts through community drama when I was younger, hoping to improve my confidence. After applying to Liverpool Everyman Theatre’s YEP acting programme, I really found my voice and love for the arts. At the same time I also went to Liverpool Hope University to study Childhood and Youth and DTS as I have a passion for the crossover between theatre and social work. I gained a Masters degree in youth and community. Through the masters I did a placement pathway for theatre and dance to gain more experience and further my skills. 

I want to be on the FTP to develop my skills and learn new things to improve as a facilitator and an artist. I also wanted to be pushed out of my comfort zone and be placed in a new environment to work with new people and learn from them too. I hope to use the programme and the skills I gain as a foundation to build upon when creating my own work.” - Melissa Waddington

“I'm interested in writing and ways of exploring creative access, as well as working with communities. I am drawn to female-led stories with a sense of humour, even in the darkest moments - because I believe life is funny.

I've started to dip my toe into facilitation, and I love it but I felt I still had a lot to learn, so when the opportunity came up to learn from RAWD in a supportive and accessible environment, I jumped at the chance!” - Beth Westbrook

“I have had an appreciation for the arts since I was very young. Through seeing lots of theatre in my childhood, I found a love for plays, musical theatre and comedy. I have always wanted to work in the arts, especially because autistic representation is low and that is something I want to change. 

I wanted to join FTP as I wanted to be someone that actors or performers could relate to and see themselves represented in. Disabled representation is slowly getting better, but I believe we can continue to make big changes by having disabled people in leadership roles at the forefront of the arts.” - Tom Daly

“My artistic interests can be hard to pin down because they are quite broad and very fluid! I’m a performer, visual artist and writer and I’m always hunting for new ways to merge my talents and interests, and to help others have fun with art.

I want to be on the Facilitator Training Programme because arts facilitation is a major part of my practice and I want to learn how to better centre disability and accessibility in my work. I also feel so privileged to be able to work with RAWD and learn from their collective well of knowledge and experience.” - Em Wills

“I love anything to do with performing arts, I want to take part in acting, singing, dancing, behind the scenes, etc. I wanted to be on the FTP because I love being in an environment where I can be creative and work with people who have a real passion for it as well.” - Mike Howard