Head2Head Scoops National Lottery Community Funding

Head2Head Sensory Theatre will receive £9,955 from The National Lottery Community Fund to provide accessible theatre experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Anni Rhodes-Steere, Head2Head’s founder said: “We are thrilled to have the support of The National Lottery. This award will help us extend opening times of a café function; provide more volunteering and Work Experience Opportunities for disabled students; more film work for disabled actors; enable us to test the reality of a desired ‘hang out’ space for disabled young people and to reach out to more disadvantaged and harder-to-reach families.”

Helen Bushell, Head of Regional Funding for London, the South East and East of England at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Head2Head team, and the money raised by National Lottery players, this funding will help the Sensory Theatre continue to grow as an accessible cornerstone of the community.

“Our ambition is to take an equity-based approach to our work, investing most in places, people and communities experiencing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination. I’m delighted that our funding is being used to deliver this vital support which will help people live healthier lives.”

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest funder of community activity in the UK. The fund supports projects that bring people together and improve the lives of people in local communities.

The funding will also help cover the costs of a Barn Administrator, heating, lighting, insurance and other essential services.

The small accessible theatre charity has been creating imaginative ways to make theatre and film accessible for the past 16 years. Part of the charity’s mission is to open up a new hub at its headquarters in Oxted’s Drewshearne Barn providing an accessible space for the community.

The charity continues to champion ‘accessible theatre’ helping thousands of families to enjoy both live and online theatre experiences through its dedicated YouTube Learning Channel.