Access All Areas
Access All Areas is Blaze’s flagship disabled‑led project, bringing together young disabled creatives aged 16-25 to explore their artistic interests, build confidence and shape their own cultural events. The project was developed in Preston and guided by poet and theatre facilitator Helena Ascough, who brings her lived experience as a visually impaired artist and a strong commitment to inclusive practice. Together, this created a supportive space for young people to learn, experiment and take the lead
The project was originally developed in 2023 through weekly sessions over a series of months , participants met professional disabled creatives, tried out new artforms and developed their own ideas. Workshops ranged from creative writing and scriptwriting to live music and poetry, offering a supportive environment to grow skills and connect with peers who share similar experiences.
A visit to the Nothing About Us, Without Us exhibition at the People’s History Museum sparked a collective ambition: to create their own public exhibition. Together, the group conceived Discovery: A Journey Through a Unique Perspective - an exhibition celebrating early‑career disabled artists and the unique ways their lived experiences shape their creative expression.
The young producers led every stage of the process: developing the concept and visual identity, writing the artist call‑out, selecting work, planning marketing, coordinating access, and working with photographers and videographers to document the event. The exhibition launched at The Larder Café, Arts and Community Hub in Preston, showcasing work by both participants and invited artists.
Alongside the creative programme, Access All Areas offered vital social connection. Participants built friendships, shared experiences and gained confidence in their identities as disabled creatives. Many described the project as a turning point - a space where they felt understood, supported and inspired to pursue future creative opportunities.
Following the success of the 2023 programme, Access All Areas continued into 2024, giving young disabled people the chance to co‑produce part of the Lancashire Encounter Festival. With regular meetings, hands‑on learning and collaboration with disabled artists, the project remains a joyful, empowering space for creativity, leadership and community.
We plan to continue this work further in future programming, and have collaborated with Helena on ‘Our Town’ in 2025, a youth‑consultancy project in 2025 that enabled young people to contribute their ideas to Burnley town centre’s regeneration plans using podcasting and multi media arts to explore and put forward their views.
