TEXT SIZE

A+ A-
Contrast
creating possibilities for disabled children
Back

Bamboozle Theatre: The Enabled Space Conference 

A banner image that says 'The Enabled Space - a one-day conference' and '28 January 2025'. It is purple with white writing.

Enabled Space. Noun – a non-judgemental space that enables people to engage meaningfully with the world around them.


Join Bamboozle Theatre at Curve Theatre in Leicester for a day of discovery, conversation and connection with the opportunity to watch one of our productions for learning disabled young people and hear from guest speakers including Darren Henley, CEO of Arts Council England. 

>> Book your place here.


Discovery 

How can all of us make work more accessible and relevant for learning disabled young people? 

Bamboozle will share what we’ve learned across three decades by using the power of theatre with learning disabled and autistic young people. 

You will hear from headteachers from special schools, parents of disabled children and the Bamboozle team where you’ll be invited to join the discussion. 

Conversation 

How can we create space for and listen to the voice of learning disabled young people? 

You’ll discover some of the practical resources and approaches that we use, which can inspire change in your own work. You’ll attend sessions where you can join a collective conversation about your own practice and explore how your own work might benefit from the Bamboozle Approach. 

Connection 

How can you build a network to support and improve your work? 

Our Enabled Space Conference will give you the opportunity to connect with creatives, decision makers, beneficiaries, and leaders who want to create a better environment for learning disabled and autistic young people, and their families. 


Programme 

10.00am: Provocation from Bamboozle’s Artistic Director Christopher Davies

10.15am: The River performance

Designed for children and young people who might be described as having profound and multiple learning disabilities, The River will take learning disabled students on a journey from the source in the mountains as it flows downstream.

10.45: Darren Henley, CEO of Arts Council England, keynote speech

11.15: Break

11.45 – 12.45pm:

How did we make The River accessible (Curve Studio)

Director Christopher Davies and designer Nettie Scriven will share with you the approaches we used to make The River accessible to profoundly disabled young people. And, along with the cast, we will discuss the process of engaging individual audience members

 

Enabled Space Free Exploratory Play (Rehearsal Room 2)

This session will start with a 20 minute workshop with autistic young people followed by a discussionFree exploratory play is an activity that enables you to connect with young people in an enabled space so that children can truly be themselves and can explore and interact on their own terms. 

 

Enabled Space – Working outdoors (Seminar Room A)

In this session Creative Director Sue Pyecroft and associate artist Dawn Bowden will discuss the Backyard outdoor project designed for autistic and ADHD young people and their families. The creative and curious playground is a way you can create a safe space to support children and young people to find their own voice.   

 

Harnessing the power of narrative and character to ignite a child’s imagination and sustain their engagement (Seminar Room B)

During this session we’ll look at the ways you can weave the theatrical elements of character and narrative into learning environments and workshop settings to create immersive experiences that enable children to engage with the world around them through story.  

12.45 – 1.45pm: Lunch

1.45pm – 2.45pm:

Please note: we are repeating three of the sessions from the morning so attendees are able to choose a different session to attend in the afternoon.

  • Enabled Space Free Exploratory Play 
  • Enabled Space – Working outdoors 
  • Harnessing the power of narrative and character to ignite a child’s imagination and sustain their engagement 

3.15pm – 4.15pm:

The Bamboozle Approach in action in SEND settings (Rehearsal Room 2)

Lynnette Johnson, headteacher at Lakeside School and Laura Conway, assistant head at Sutherland House, will share their experience of implementing the Bamboozle Approach in their own schools, and lead the discussions of the effect it can have on teaching practice as well as benefits for students.  

 

Creating Accessible Theatre (Seminar A) 

A chance to discuss ways that you make accessible theatre, how we at Bamboozle seek to make our work accessible for both autistic and profoundly disabled audiences, and what we can learn from each other to increase the accessibility of all theatre for all people

  

Family and community engagement (Seminar B) 

A discussion forum on creating work for the whole family of disabled young person, non-disabled siblings and parents.   

Meet parents and siblings of disabled young people who will share their experiences and what has worked for their families. You will have a chance to share your experiences and to explore ways of delivering work for the whole family where the disabled and non-disabled young people are equally engaged.   

4.15pm – 5.00pm: Plenary (Seminar A & B) 

A chance for all attendees to come back together to discuss what has been discovered throughout the day and what needs to still be moved forward in the future.

6.00pm: Showcase performance of Storm (Studio) 

All attendees are invited to stay for our Showcase performance of Storm. Designed for autistic children and young people, this enchanting, intimate production tells a dramatic story of the sea, ships, islands and magic.

This performance will have limited places as Bamboozle will invite friends and supporters to attend. Conference attendees will have first opportunity to book their place.


Cost 

The event is generously supported by Curve Theatre, so we’re able to offer you this exciting programme for just £50 per person (plus £3.90 booking fee), which includes lunch and hot drinks throughout the day. 


Booking your place 

>> Book your place here.

Please note: Once you have completed your booking, we require all attendees to complete a form which will be emailed to you. This form needs completing before we can confirm your place.

If you need any assistance completing this form, please email info@bamboozletheatre.co.uk or call us on 0116 255 2065. 


Access 

This conference is taking place at Curve Theatre. Curve’s accessibility information can be found here: https://www.curveonline.co.uk/access/ 

The ground floor of Curve, including the Studio and Cafe, is accessible and has a changing place. Unfortunately, for our workshops that take place above the ground floor Curve are only able to accommodate four wheelchair users. 

We have a section in our booking form regarding access requirements, please let us know how we can support you to have the best experience at our conference as possible.  

If you identify as learning disabled or autistic and need support to access our conference, please contact us via info@bamboozletheatre.co.uk or call us on 0116 255 2065. 

Unit 10 St Mary's Works | 115 Burnmoor Street | Leicester LE2 7JL | 0116 255 2065
Registered Charity Number: 1136157 | Registered in England and Wales.
Company No. 7193792