The Inflexion Foundation is pleased to announce a long-term partnership with theatre charity The Chicken Shed Theatre Trust (“Chickenshed”) through a grant of £100,000 per annum for the next three years to support Chickenshed’s ‘Access and Participation’ Fund.   

Founded in 1974, Chickenshed is credited with being the world’s first truly inclusive theatre company. Today Chickenshed brings together young people from all social and economic backgrounds, cultures, and abilities to study performing arts alongside each other in a safe creative space. The organisation hosts projects and workshops in schools, youth centres, and young offender centres, while its youth mentoring focus provides access to training and practical work experience in a variety of theatre skills. Chickenshed offers diploma and degree courses, and in 2023 was awarded the top ranking of Gold by the Office for Students in the Higher Education Teaching Excellence Framework.  The Access & Participation Fund ensures Chickenshed programmes remain accessible to all, impacting a diverse range of beneficiaries. 

The partnership with Chickenshed will complement Inflexion’s existing long-term partnership with the Roundhouse which included a £1.5 million donation towards Roundhouse’s new creative centre which opened in June 2023. 

The journey of Chickenshed over the last 50 years is extraordinary and we are delighted to support the charity’s important efforts in helping young people explore their creative potential. Our strong relationship with the Roundhouse means we truly understand the importance of connecting people through performing arts.

Simon Turner, Inflexion Foundation Trustee

Our mission is to create wonder and change through our productions, training, education, and outreach. With the Inflexion Foundation's support, we can expand access to our programmes and collaborate with agencies serving those most in need.

Louise Perry, Managing Director, Chickenshed