Charity: Clean Break Theatre Company
Location: Kentish Town, London borough of Camden
Service: Advice from CAE’s Access and Sustainability Advice Service (ASAS), access audit
Status: Client has actioned CAE access audit recommendations, with more planned for the future.
The client
Clean Break is a women’s theatre company, founded in 1979, which delivers ground-breaking theatre and high-impact creative programmes with and for women affected by the criminal justice system.
The arts charity produces plays, delivers training, provides artist development, and runs a ‘members’ programme offering holistic, trauma-informed support through theatre and creativity.
Its members are women with lived or anticipated experience of the criminal justice system, often with complex needs including mental health challenges, addiction, or histories of trauma. It also engages with wider audiences, artists, students, and community partners.
Clean Break Theatre reception area.
The building
Clean Break Theatre is housed in a modern, two-storey building with bright, high-ceilinged spaces and an open-plan staircase.
The building comprises four studio workshops with mirrored walls, three meeting rooms, a kitchen, and five toilets, including two accessible toilets.
A cosy sitting area space with plants and chairs within the Clean Break building.
The brief
As a long-standing arts charity operating in a multi-use building, the charity recognised the need to better understand and respond to access requirements for both its core community and external users. ASAS was recommended to them through local networks and community venue groups in Camden.
Following a session with ASAS, CAE provided a full accessibility audit of their building, identifying both short-term improvements and longer-term strategic goals.
Alice Dryden, Clean Break’s Operations Manager, said: “We wanted to ensure our building meets evolving accessibility needs, particularly with our aim to increase new hires and our ambitions to widen our reach. We were also looking for guidance on sustainable, inclusive improvements within post-pandemic and post-capital works.
“CAE worked with us in a consultative, collaborative manner that aligned with our trauma-informed values, ensuring the recommendations were not only functional but sensitive to our users lived experiences.
“They helped us understand our current gaps and prioritise adjustments, from clearer signage and furniture layouts to inclusive communications and entry protocols. They also supported us in considering how our new hires programme could be more accessible to both organisations and their attendees.”
The outcome
Since working with ASAS, the charity has:
- Improved visual signage and wayfinding around the building.
- Made access adjustments in meeting rooms and studio spaces, such as clearer layout and easier access to adapted seating.
- Begun implementing a more inclusive induction process for new staff hires and facilitators, ensuring they understand the access needs of the space.
- Ensured consistent access information is shared in advance with visitors and performers.
Clean Break is looking to formalise its own internal Access and Sustainability Action Plan, informed by CAE’s audit recommendations. This includes:
- Exploring funding to implement physical access upgrades such as assisted door entry and improved toilet access.
- Continuing to monitor and reduce its carbon impact through energy usage, led by its Climate Justice Team.
- Embedding accessibility requirements in all new hire communications, contracts, and planning tools, led by its Anti-Ableism Working Group.
- Ensuring access and sustainability are considered as standard elements in event planning and staff training.
Following the new accessibility changes, the charity said that staff and members have noted a greater sense of welcome and ease moving through the building.
“We’ve heard from guests that the clearer signage and mindful layout have helped reduce anxiety when arriving, especially for first-time visitors,” Ms. Dryden said. “There is a wider awareness and shared responsibility among staff and freelancers around accessibility and inclusive practice.”
And, what has the biggest improvement so far?
“It has been in our confidence to act. Having expert advice specific to our context gave us a clear path to move forward with changes – both big and small – that align with our values and operational goals. It helped us make access a more visible and embedded part of our planning, especially for hires and events.”
ASAS session
Ms Dryden added: “We’d highly recommend advice from CAE’s ASAS service for its tailored, person-centred approach and its ability to provide actionable insights that can be implemented incrementally. Their understanding of grassroots organisations and limited budgets was refreshing and empowering.”
“ASAS offers a great opportunity to assess your space and operations through a lens of accessibility and inclusion without needing a big budget. We found it incredibly helpful.”
For more information on ASAS, email Access Advisor Asa Hems at asas@cae.org.uk or telephone on 0754 6690 040.