Youth Theatre in Scotland: Current Use of EDI Data

In 2020, YTAS conducted the Youth Theatre in Scotland Sector Review, where we asked the sector to tell us about their activity. At the same time, we also asked how they use EDI data.

By Ruthless Research

In September 2020, YTAS conducted the Youth Theatre in Scotland Sector Review, where we asked the sector to tell us more about the youth theatre activity they run.

The Sector Review was for all groups who use drama or performance in their work with young people. We asked questions about groups up to March 2020, including the number of participants and staff they had at that point, as well as age ranges and demographics of the young people they worked with.

Alongside this survey, we also asked the sector about the Impact of COVID-19, and about their Current Use of EDI Data in two additional surveys, which helped to give us more background context.

The responses helped us capture the big picture of the sector, and identify the ways we can develop further, and the feedback you gave us helped to sharpen the focus of our work.

Resources

Report: Current Use of EDI Data in the Youth Theatre Sector

Download

Cultural Guide for Artists and Creatives in Edinburgh

Getting to know Edinburgh’s diverse arts and culture sector will help you to identify which spaces and opportunities could support your career as an established artist, emerging talent and or community arts practitioner.

Complying with Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) legislation

Working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults? Then you need to read this. Compliance with the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme is a legal requirement.

Using AI in funding applications

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in our lives, how could we use its capabilities to assist funding application writing? The National Lottery Community Fund wrote this helpful statement, including tips to help and issues to consider.

YTAS EDI Policies and Action Plans

As part of our EDI toolkit, we’re happy to share the work we’ve done here at YTAS to embed EDI principles into our work and make the world of youth theatre a fairer, more inclusive space.

LGBTQIA+ Manifesto of Care and Respect

Our collective of LGBTOIA+ practitioners have compiled this manifesto to help Scotland’s youth theatre sector create an environment for young LGBTQIA+ people to thrive and have the strength to challenge the world outside of our workshops.

LGBTQIA+ Poster and Resource Downloads

Some printable resources for you to use to help make your spaces inclusive to LGBTQIA+ identities.

Toolkit

Video

LGBTQIA+ Toolkit

With proper LGBTQIA+ inclusion, everyone stands to benefit from a space that is less judgmental and champions uniqueness. Here are some starting points, as well as some ideas and tips.

Video

Queering the Narrative

A six-video workshop series by Drew Taylor-Wilson designed for artists and practitioners working in youth theatre settings who are looking for inspiration in their creative practice.

Out with Suzi Ruffel

The ‘Out’ podcast includes interviews with a wide range of LGBTQIA+ people, and stories allies and LGBTQIA+ listeners send in. It’s a great place for anybody looking for connections to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Getting Equalities Monitoring Right

This guide from Stonewall Scotland is a comprehensive resource for organisations in Scotland to support trans positive approaches to gathering equality data. It helps to explain why it is important, how to collect it, and what to do with it afterwards.

Trans-Inclusive Residentials

This resource is specifically about supporting trans or gender diverse identities on residential trips, including discussions about toilets, showers, and sleeping arrangements.

Good Practice Tips For Working With Young Trans People

A practical guide about supporting trans young people in formal education and community settings, with bullet point options that we think are helpful to consider in any youth theatre setting.

Allsorts Booklets

Explore all of the Allsorts Youth Project’s downloadable booklets for further details on how gender and sexuality intersect with other identities and cultures.

Stonewall Young Futures: Careers Advice

Stonewall Young Futures is a helpful place to point slightly older LGBTQIA+ young people towards when they are ready to take the first steps towards adult life.

Sexuality and Mental Health

LGBT Youth Scotland’s Life in Scotland report 2022 demonstrates that there has been a decline in young people feeling happy as an LGBTQIA+ person living in Scotland over the course of a decade. Young Minds’ resources are a great place to start when thinking about mental wellbeing and LGBTQIA+ identities.

A-Z of LGBTQIA+ Terminology

The language of identity is constantly changing, and when the LGBTQIA+ umbrella encompasses so much, it’s important that we do our best to stay informed. This resource from LGBT Youth Scotland is an accessible and comprehensive list of terminology.