Young People’s Borough of Culture ™

A Where Culture Connects project led by Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, H&F Council, The Earls Court Development Company, DanceWest, Fulham Pier and Hammersmith BID.

Website: https://www.ypboc.org/
Instagram: @YPBOC
Facebook: /YPBOC
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Where Culture Connects is a stakeholder partnership supporting cultural development, launched by Hammersmith & Fulham council. It follows the model established by Arts Council England for a cultural compact and brings together leaders from the cultural and creative, private, public, voluntary, education and health sectors to mobilise an ambitious vision and cultural strategy for the Borough.  Where Culture Connects is the umbrella for our Destination Management Partnership (VisitH&F), Heritage and Inclusion Partnership and Creative Pathways Partnership, and supports a Cultural Forum of over 80 members dedicated to building capacity of our local cultural and creative industries.

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PARTNER BIOGRAPHIES

ACTION ON DISABILITY
Action on Disability is a Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation based in Hammersmith and Fulham and led by Disabled people. Founded in 1979, we support over 4,500 Deaf and Disabled people each year across West London. Our work includes youth services for Disabled young people, supported internships, Direct Payments support, welfare benefits advice, training, consultancy, co-production and wider community-based support. We are committed to removing barriers and increasing inclusion, independence, choice and participation for Deaf and Disabled people.

Website: https://www.aod.org.uk/

AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY
Amici Dance Theatre Company is a pioneering inclusive company that brings together disabled and non-disabled performers in innovative performance. Founded by Wolfgang Stange in 1980, they have had a global impact through their productions and workshops, challenging perceptions of disability in the arts.

Website: https://www.amicidance.org/

BALLET BLACK
Ballet Black, founded in 2001 by Cassa Pancho, is Europe’s first Black professional neoclassical ballet company. An Olivier Award and Black British Theatre Award winner, we champion diversity on stage, commission new work, and create lifechanging career pathways for Black and Asian dancers and creatives. To date we have produced 70 new ballets and are recognised as a leading force in reshaping British ballet and its audiences.

Website: https://www.balletblack.co.uk/

BUSH THEATRE
The Bush Theatre is an internationally renowned champion of playwrights, a vibrant venue, a community space for Shepherd’s Bush, a bar and café, and so much more. Our work in the community offers free creative experiences to individuals, schools and young people’s groups in Hammersmith and Fulham, and the surrounding West London area.

Website: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/

CARE TO CULTURE
Care to Culture is a Theatre based production company that delivers workshops and paid training opportunities for those who have been without a primary care giver or are care experienced. Established in 2020 our aim is to offer practical knowledge on theatrical business practises, create and archive stories by and for care experienced people and create a safe space to learn and earn. We develop stories and artists, specifically working with those who are care experienced, those without a primary caregiver and those who have been left in the margins of the artistic world in trauma informed and care focused ways, looking to develop work in a way that allows sustainable access for young CE artists. We deliver workshops, financial literacy training and paid artistic training to young people with care experience or experience of being estranged aged 14-30.

Website: https://www.caretoculture.co.uk/

DANCEWEST
Our mission is to engage people of all ages and abilities in high quality dance activity, improve the mental, physical health and wellbeing of all people through dance. We believe that dance enriches lives and is the catalyst for positive change in our community. Simply dance for everyone and everybody. We provide free & low cost dance, health and wellbeing activities co-designed with participants and partners. Transforming the health and wellbeing of vulnerable and diverse communities. Our sole aim is to keep our community healthy and happy by participating in dance.

Website: https://www.dancewest.co.uk/

THE EARLS COURT DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
The Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) is an Earl’s Court-based business responsible for the transformation of the c.40-acre, former Earls Court Exhibition Centre, site on behalf of the Earls Court Partnership Limited – a joint venture formed in December 2019 between Delancey (on behalf of its client funds), the Dutch pension fund manager APG and Transport for London. The transformational plans for the redevelopment of the site will deliver up to £3 billion a year and 23,500 jobs to the national economy once complete, research by Arup has revealed.

Website: https://www.earlscourt.com/

FULHAM PIER
Set directly on the River Thames between Hammersmith and Putney Bridge, Fulham Pier brings together the very best of London leisure, from dining, culture, wellness and hospitality. Fulham Pier offers a constantly evolving programme of events, from live music, secret film screenings and comedy nights to creative workshops, fitness sessions and family activities. The destination is also home to a critically acclaimed restaurant, elegant cocktail bars and a vibrant riverside food hall, alongside a boutique hotel, an exclusive private members’ club, and Sael Spa, a forthcoming spa with a rooftop pool offering unparalleled views.

Website: https://www.fulhampier.com/

HAMMERSMITH BID
Hammersmith BID has been working for Hammersmith since 2006. A Business Improvement District (BID), we are committed to the growth and transformation of our town centre, the hub of West London. We are a not-for-profit, business-led organisation, working to make Hammersmith a greener, more resilient, more welcoming and desirable place to work, live and visit. Our programme of events and festivals has entertained thousands over the years, helping to forge new partnerships and strengthen our local community.

Website: https://hammersmithbid.co.uk/

IDEA DESIGN HUB
IDEA Design Hub CIC is a creative education studio that combines art, design thinking, and hands-on learning to help children and young students build confidence, creativity, and essential life skills. Through both local projects in London and international initiatives, IDEA goes beyond the classroom, encouraging young people to solve real-world problems, think critically, and engage with global perspectives. Its mission is to empower students to become creative, confident, and socially aware individuals ready to shape a better future.

Website: https://www.ideaproject.design/

IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
The Centre for Societal Engagement: we collaborate with civic organisations, community groups and public participants to make STEMB opportunities more inclusive of the societies of which they are a part. At Imperial, we’re putting engagement into practice across our nine campuses as well as at schools, hospitals and cultural and community spaces. This builds on a proud legacy of civic engagement: Imperial has always been deeply rooted in London life and our pioneering research has brought benefits to wider society since 1907. We’ve found a real sense of momentum for engagement amongst the Imperial community and we’re committed to supporting it.

Website: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/

LAMDA
Founded in 1861, the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) is the oldest drama school in the British Isles and a founding member of the Federation of Drama Schools, based in Hammersmith. Our notable alumni include Benedict Cumberbatch, Brian Cox, Ruth Wilson and John Lithgow. We offer conservatoire training through undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as short courses, workshops and corporate training. LAMDA Exams is one of the UK’s leading awarding bodies, reaching over 120,000 learners each year across schools, youth theatres and community settings worldwide, building confidence, communication skills and creative expression in young people from all backgrounds.

Website: https://www.lamda.ac.uk/

THE LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE
The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre produces bold and relevant world-class theatre from the heart of Hammersmith, the theatre’s home for 130 years. Under the leadership of its joint CEOs, Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan and Executive Director Amy Belson, it is committed to being vital to, and representative of, the local community. A major force in London and UK theatre, the Lyric produces adventurous and acclaimed theatrical work that tells the stories that matter. The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has a national reputation for ground-breaking work to develop and nurture the next generation of talent, providing opportunities for young people to discover the power of creativity and to experience the life changing impact of theatre.

Website: https://www.lyric.co.uk/

OLYMPIA
Olympia is a historic West London landmark reimagined as a dynamic cultural destination, bringing together world class venues, arts, entertainment, hospitality and public realm. It is a place where culture, creativity and community meet, championing what’s new while supporting emerging talent and contemporary experiences.

Website: https://www.olympia.co.uk/

SANDS END ARTS & COMMUNITY CENTRE
Sands End Arts & Community Centre (SEACC) is a vibrant, inclusive hub in the heart of Fulham, dedicated to enriching the lives of local people through creativity, connection and community. We are a registered charity committed to supporting individuals of all ages and backgrounds, offering accessible and affordable opportunities. We support artists and charities with free and low-cost space to help make their projects a reality, alongside running our own workshops, events and drop-in sessions including health and wellbeing activities, intergenerational projects and seasonal celebrations.

Website: https://www.seacc.uk/

TRI-BOROUGH MUSIC HUB
The Tri-borough Music Hub (TBMH) is the award-winning lead organisation that oversees the delivery of music education in the three West London boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and the City of Westminster. We work with schools, pupils, music educators and the community to provide engaging music activities for children and young people across the three boroughs. We are a centralised Local Authority service which receives core funding from the Department for Education via Arts Council England. We operate a shared-services model across three Local Authorities to deliver an expansive programme of musical learning, in and out of school.

Website: https://www.triboroughmusichub.org/

TURTLE KEY ARTS
Turtle Key Arts produces and devises original, inclusive art to entertain and inspire. They believe that access to the arts helps to improve the quality of life by bringing people together, offering creative opportunities and social inter-action. They produce a number of innovative performance companies and run free participation arts projects for disabled, disadvantaged and socially excluded people.

Website: https://www.turtlekeyarts.org.uk/

URBAN PARTNERSHIP GROUP (UPG)
Urban Partnership Group supports a diverse range of residents across Hammersmith and Fulham, with a particular focus on individuals and families experiencing social, economic, or educational disadvantage. Our aim in all cases is to create a friendly and supportive environment where centre users can feel a sense of belonging. We have 4 buildings in the central area (a nursery, a family hub, and two multi use community centres)

Website: https://www.upg.org.uk/

WEST LONDON YOUTH ZONE
WEST Youth Zone is a purpose-built space for West London’s young people offering 30+ activities each session ranging from sports, climbing wall and media to skating, drama and music production. WEST Youth Zone is a purpose-built space for West London’s young people aged 8 – 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs. As part of the OnSide Youth Zones network, young people from across the borough and beyond have access to fantastic facilities for just £5 for an annual membership and 50p per visit.

Website: https://www.westyouthzone.org/

WHITE CITY THEATRE PROJECT
White City Theatre Project is a West London charity that uses drama and performance to empower young people, particularly those facing disadvantage. Founded in White City, it delivers in-school workshops, community projects, and productions, and runs the White City Youth Theatre at the Bush Theatre. Its work especially supports schools and young people living and studying in Hammersmith and Fulham. Through these programmes, young people build confidence, creativity, and communication skills while gaining opportunities to perform and express themselves.

Website: https://www.whitecitytheatre.com/