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Activism at 20 Stories High

20 Stories High’s Environmental Commitment

We recognise that the climate crisis is a social and creative issue – and we’re
committed to playing our part in tackling it. As a touring theatre company and charity,
we understand that our work has an environmental impact, and we’re taking practical
steps to reduce it.

What We’re Already Doing

We’re already embedding sustainability across our practice, here are a few
examples:
 Using recycled paper for printing and flipcharts – and recycling afterwards.
 Prioritising ethical, local, and sustainable suppliers.
 Re-using and sharing props, sets, and costumes across productions.
 Setting environmental objectives based on the Theatre Green Book toolkit.
 Encouraging digital-first communication to reduce paper use.

Our Key Environmental Pledges

We’ve built an Environmental Action Plan that helps us monitor, review, and develop
our approach. Some of our current priorities include:
 Reducing single-use plastics across rehearsals, workshops, and
performances. Exploring sustainable travel options, including public transport
and electric vehicles.
 Monitoring waste reduction in our office and rehearsal spaces.
 Continuing carbon literacy training for our team.

Looking Ahead

We’re working with sector partners including Julie’s Bicycle, Theatre Green Book,
and Ecostage to measure our impact and share what we learn.
Our goal is to make sustainability a creative driver — inspiring our teams, audiences,
and young people to imagine fairer, greener futures.

Join Us

We believe that environmental justice and social justice are deeply connected. Our
commitment to inclusion extends to the planet we share.If you’d like to collaborate,
share resources, or support our environmental journey, please get in touch at
info@20storieshigh.org.uk.

Statement from the Culture Network LCR: Statement of Unity

The Culture Network Liverpool City Region (LCR), on behalf of the arts and culture sector across the city region, stands firmly against the rise in racist, anti-immigrant and Islamophobic rhetoric, and xenophobic narratives that are dividing our communities and scapegoating migrants for systemic failures.

We know that many in our communities are struggling to access healthcare, housing, education, social services, or just the basic cost of living. Immigration is not the cause of these problems, it is because of poor political choices and constant underinvestment. Failures of government and relentless greed, not the presence of immigrants, is the real problem. Blaming migrants for these issues not only fuels hate but also distracts from the urgent need for accountable leadership and meaningful change.

Immigrants are not a burden. They are our neighbours, colleagues, artists, caregivers, and friends. They contribute to the richness of our society in countless ways; Liverpool is a city built on immigration. Within the arts sector especially, migrant voices and stories have always played a vital role.

As artists, arts practitioners and arts organisations we recognise the important role we play in promoting social justice and striving for a more equitable and empathetic society. Many in the communities we serve have experienced the transformative power of the arts. Art makes space for understanding. It elevates unheard voices. It sparks dialogue and shifts culture. In times of division, it helps us imagine and build something better – together, and we will continue to do all we can to support greater social cohesion and inclusion through our work.

We call on leaders across the region, councillors, trades unions, and all those in positions of power in our regional authorities to publicly reject anti-immigrant rhetoric, in fact all forms of prejudice wherever it appears. The racist riots that took place last summer following the tragic events in Southport, which led to the arson attack on Spellow Library and the targeting of Abdullah Quilliam Mosque, are a warning of the violence and intimidation communities will face if these racist and prejudiced narratives are not challenged.

City and regional leaders have a responsibility to protect all residents, challenge scapegoating, put pressure on central government for increased funding for investment in education, and services and policies which improve the living standards, physical environment and opportunities of all our communities, and foster equity and inclusion.

We urge our cultural peers, civic institutions, and communities to join us in standing against xenophobia and affirming the dignity, humanity, and contributions of migrants. A more just and compassionate society is not only possible, it is also necessary and our right!

Want to take action? You can also send the Statement of Unity letter to your MP or councillor – HERE

Disability Benefit Cuts

At 20 Stories High, we stand in solidarity with Disabled people as the government considers devastating cuts to disability benefits. For millions, these benefits are essential, covering the extra costs of living with a disability, and making sure people can access the support they need day to day.

We recognise the systemic lack of support for disabled people. There’s a constant narrative that disabled people are ‘lazy’ or ‘don’t want to work’, ignoring the real challenges of inaccessible workplaces, rising costs, and inadequate support. These cuts would only deepen this injustice.

We support Scope’s campaign to protect disability benefits and call on the government to listen to disabled voices. Please join us in signing the petition below.

How can you help?

Support

Racism and Islamophobia

Like the majority of Britain, we too are appalled by the recent shocking expressions of racism & Islamophobia around the UK and fully aware that these events may be having a big impact on you personally, within your family, social network & your community.

We extend our love and solidarity to each and every one of you and in addition, we have created a self-care toolkit with Carol Cumberbatch and within it a variety of tips on how to take care of yourself. It’s not an exclusive list, but a few ideas that we want to share to support you to navigate your life experiences at this challenging time. This is available through the link below:

We encourage you to have a look & share with anyone else you think could also benefit.

And if you need immediate support, please contact one of the organisations listed at the end of the toolkit. They include:

POWER UP: Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Activism

20 Stories High have always been activists and advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion.  

Although we are a culturally diverse organisation – in terms of participants, audiences, artists, staff team and board -, we know that there is always more to learn. 

We are committed to being even better activists as well as allies. 

This means learning, listening and growing as a company, as well as sharing practice, working in partnership with others and speaking truth to power. 

We now put this learning and listening into practice – thinking about how we contribute to making a more equal, fair society. 

POWER UP is a pillar of 20 Stories High, which explores how we can all do better together and how we can be more inclusive practitioners in the arts.  

This page is a small insight into what that looks like in our work. 

Art

We are dedicated to creating art as activism. We make work with and for young people and communities that challenges the status quo and demands a more equitable society. Below are some examples of our work over the past few years. 

  • Access Manifesto – A response from Deaf, Disabled and neurodivergent young people to the Arts Sector.

  • who the f—k is shakespeare? – A political occupation of Shakespeare’s work. 
  • High Times and Dirty Monsters – An award-winning touring show about the ups and downs of being young and Disabled in Britain.

  • LOOPS – A play about Djibi, a young Black man in Liverpool, on the day he gets stopped and searched.

  • Poet’s Gift – A public art collaboration with Amina Atiq and Muslim young people to create new writing and poetry around the idea of safe spaces. 

  • Black with a Capital B – 7 short films we commissioned from local young Black artists.

  • Black, Scouse and Proud a short film by Nathan Powell and Black youth theatre members:

 

  • Touchy, commissioned by the Wellcome Collection, in association with the Unity:

  • Buttercup created by Dorcas Seb, Odile Mukete with 20 Stories High and Tigerlily Films for BBC:

Watch on BBC iPlayer

 

Training

As an organisation, we engage with a variety of training across the year, delivered by experts to allow us to develop our work as a theatre company with EDIA at our heart. Sessions have included: 

Support and Advocacy

Here are some of the charters and standards we support and adhere to:

POWER UP: Action Plan

Inspired by Inc. Arts’ UNLOCK toolkit, we have created a living breathing Action Plan that all members of staff take accountability for. The action plan has long term and short-term actions for the company to ensure we continue to be the most inclusive and representative organisation we can be. Below is a small snapshot of some of the work currently underway. 

Race equality and Equity 

  • Ensure senior leadership is culturally diverse 
  • Ensuring we work with culturally appropriate artists on all projects 
  • Maintain a robust anti racism policy and guidelines 
  • Work to Halo Code guidelines 

Creative Access 

  • Develop new work with access at its core 
  • Creative access a part of youth theatre shows 
  • Access provision for workshops and all materials in accessible formats 
  • Making our work environment more accessible 

Class 

  • Working with CLASSroom to develop class rider 
  • Flexible payment structure to work best for artists 
  • Transparent pay structure 

Positive Bodies 

  • Ensuring office furniture is suitable and inclusive 
  • Ensuring t-shirts are ordered from companies with an inclusive range of sizes 
  • Ensure workshops take into account the access needs of all participants 
  • Ensure costumes are discussed and agreed to be comfortable for all performers

For a full breakdown of our POWER UP Action Plan, please contact amy@20storieshigh.org.uk and we will send you our current document.  

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