"It is vital that we not be removed from the scene. It is even more vital that you do not see us as a risk because of all this. We need you to continue to employ us and take on ATW alongside your Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent employees." Jenny Sealey www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/fea...

The sector needs Access to Work - Arts Professional

Having had her Access to Work allowance reduced and then restored Jenny Sealey, joint CEO and artistic director of Graeae, has become a lightning rod for the sector on disability allowances.

artsprofessional.co.uk

Exciting opportunity to join our team! We're looking for an Artist Development Administrator to support the delivery of Graeae’s national artist development programme over the next 18 months! Deadline: Monday 15 June. More details below. graeae.org/recruitment/

Recruitment - Graeae

graeae.org

Crips with Chips is back! We've teamed up with Mercury Theatre to bring you a night of short plays and extracts, platforming Disabled and neurodivergent writers and their new work. Join us on Friday 31 July at Mercury Theatre. Full details of the event below. graeae.org/project/crip...

Crips with Chips 2026 - Graeae

graeae.org

We want to share some important updates about the claims process for Access to Work. It is vital that you are aware of the processes you need to follow to be successful in your claim. More information and resources can be found on our website: graeae.org/access-to-wo...

Our second community response to the cuts to Access to Work is now live! The writer had asked to remain anonymous, but we urge you to share this story and write to your MPs! Their experience is not the exception, it has become the rule. This must change! graeae.org/resource/com...

Community Response: Access to Work: A System That’s Neither Accessible Nor Working. - Graeae

graeae.org

We are recruiting for new board members who are interested in making an impact on the future of Graeae. We are interested in applications from Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent individuals. Being a member of Graeae’s board is stimulating and rewarding. Learn more below! graeae.org/job/board-me...

We are endlessly grateful to every one of you who reached out when Jenny’s Access to Work was cut earlier this year. We know many of you wrote to your MPs, posted on social media, & it worked. Jenny’s ATW has been reinstated. Please keep sharing your experiences with us as we continue this fight!

On 12 March, the Public Accounts Committee held a hearing with key managers from the DWP who work on the Access to Work Scheme. If you missed the hearing or would like to revisit the questions, we have new resources on our website. graeae.org/resource/acc...

Access to Work Campaign 2026 - Graeae

graeae.org

We reached our target and more, raising an incredible £13,600 for our Young Company through the Big Give campaign! A huge thank you to everyone who donated and shared our campaign and a big thanks to Arts Council England for match funding.

Support our young Disabled artists by removing barriers & making accessible pathways into the creative industry; ensuring they have equal opportunities and support to thrive and become the industry leaders of tomorrow. Every donation is doubled! #ArtsforImpact donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

The Big Give Arts for Impact campaign starts now! From 17 - 24 March, Graeae is raising funds to support our Young Company of Disabled artists. Support us to make high-quality, inclusive training possible. Every donation doubled! donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

Following the hearing, we have written an initial response with some key takeaways. You can read this response on our website. We will be providing a transcript of the hearing and alternative formats of the transcript in the coming days. graeae.org/resource/acc...

Access to Work Campaign 2026 - Graeae

graeae.org

On Thursday 12 March, there will be a Public Accounts Committee Hearing with senior members of Access to Work and the DWP. The hearing will take place at 10am on Parliament TV. One stream will have British Sign Language interpretation, and one stream will not. More info: graeae.org/resource/acc...

Access to Work Campaign 2026 - Graeae

graeae.org

Disabled Artists of the Future! We’re excited to announce that we’re taking part in the Big Give Arts for Impact campaign from the 17 - 24 March 2026, raising vital funds for our Young Company and we need your support. Save the date! donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

Young Company: The disabled artists of the future – Big Give

Graeae is seeking funding to support a Young Company of Deaf, Disabled and neurodivergent young people aged 16+. We will provide disabled-led, accessible and vibrant theatre making opportunities throu...

donate.biggive.org

Solidarity with Jenny and everyone affected by the cuts to Access to Work.

Graeae Theatre Company@graeaetheatre.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Graeae has been informed that our artistic director, faces swingeing cuts to Access to Work support on the same day we close our survey asking for feedback on the scheme. Read the full story on our website with a statement from Jenny Sealey: graeae.org/resource/acc...

You shouldn't have to be a significant person in the history of disability arts in order to get ATW ... but it's pretty telling of what the DWP are up to when they slash such a notable person's ATW.

Graeae Theatre Company@graeaetheatre.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Graeae has been informed that our artistic director, faces swingeing cuts to Access to Work support on the same day we close our survey asking for feedback on the scheme. Read the full story on our website with a statement from Jenny Sealey: graeae.org/resource/acc...

Telling the leader of a nationally renowned Deaf/disabled theatre company that she can only have 18 hours of BSL Interpretation per week is so.... evil. Knowingly evil. Cuts to A2W will slowly remove our strongest voices and advocates from public life.

Graeae Theatre Company@graeaetheatre.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Graeae has been informed that our artistic director, faces swingeing cuts to Access to Work support on the same day we close our survey asking for feedback on the scheme. Read the full story on our website with a statement from Jenny Sealey: graeae.org/resource/acc...

The government is cutting Graea Directoe Jenny Sealey's Access to Work by 50% - not only a direct assault on her equal right to work, but what feels like a targeted attack on the capacity of a leading disabled organisation to speak truth to power and challenge and change culture. This is obscene.

Graeae Theatre Company@graeaetheatre.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Graeae has been informed that our artistic director, faces swingeing cuts to Access to Work support on the same day we close our survey asking for feedback on the scheme. Read the full story on our website with a statement from Jenny Sealey: graeae.org/resource/acc...

Graeae has been informed that our artistic director, faces swingeing cuts to Access to Work support on the same day we close our survey asking for feedback on the scheme. Read the full story on our website with a statement from Jenny Sealey: graeae.org/resource/acc...

Access to Work cuts - Statement from Jenny Sealey - Graeae

graeae.org

Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences & responded to our Access to Work survey. Your voices are so valuable to our campaign for positive change to the Access to Work system. graeae.org/resource/acc...

Last day to complete our survey!

Graeae Theatre Company@graeaetheatre.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Have your say on your experience of Access to Work. To inform our response to The Public Accounts Committee Inquiry, we’ve created a short survey for our community and for those who would prefer to submit their evidence through Graeae. graeae.org/resource/acc...

Have your say on your experience of Access to Work. To inform our response to The Public Accounts Committee Inquiry, we’ve created a short survey for our community and for those who would prefer to submit their evidence through Graeae. graeae.org/resource/acc...

Access to Work 2026 - Graeae

graeae.org

Did you know that The Public Accounts Committee & National Audit Office have launched an inquiry into the Access to Work Scheme? There is a chance to submit your experience or fill in our survey, please check out our Access to Work page on our website for more info. graeae.org/resource/acc...

New year. New projects. New space? Graeae’s accessible award-winning spaces are available to hire! Check out the brochure on our webiste. graeae.org/who-we-are/o...

We are saddened to hear of the passing of the wonderful Julie Cleves. Julie was one of our Rhinestone Rollers, complete with her pink tasseled shirt and stetson hat. 

Her artwork graces our space at Bradbury Studios. Her art and spirit will be ever present in our space and in our hearts.

Lovely way to start the year and proud to see our Artistic Director Jenny Sealey and Executive Director Kevin Walsh in @thestage.co.uk 100! www.thestage.co.uk/features/the...

“We need more allies in our activism. 2026 needs to be all-embracing to ensure the theatrical landscape is rich with diversity of people and narratives.” Jenny Sealey, Artistic Director, Graeae shorturl.at/2oxBj

What’s in store for 2026? Theatre leaders share their forecasts

Industry leaders on the likely challenges for the year ahead

shorturl.at

And the winner of Best North East Production: Bad Lads from @livetheatre.bsky.social and @graeaetheatre.bsky.social. Easily the best all-rounder at Live this year, with a revelation about a Youth Detention Centre and innovative use of captions and signing chrisontheatre.wordpress.com/2025/12/26/c...

Chris Neville-Smith’s 2025 awards

The Best Of 2025 as seen over my year.

chrisontheatre.wordpress.com

Graeae’s Deaf, Disabled & neurodivergent writers have ended their coffee mornings this year with “12 Days of Christmas: on your radar, not your risk register.” In our rebellious spirit, this does not fit to the tune of 12 days of Christmas, but the sentiment does! graeae.org/resource/12-...

12 Days of Christmas: on your radar, not your risk register! - Graeae

graeae.org

Today, in celebration of Disability History Month, we are highlighting the future of Disability in the arts through the young artists we have the pleasure of working with. The photos included in this post date back to the 1980s and follow us all the way up through to our current young company.