Improving inclusivity at the Martin Harris Centre
The Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama is a performance space situated in the heart of The University of Manchester’s campus. Since it opened in 2003, the Centre has offered a varied programme of music and theatre events to educate, stimulate and engage audiences.
In 2024, Alex Shaw, Arts Administration Manager in the Martin Harris Centre received funding from the University’s Humanities Strategic Civic Engagement Fund (HSCEF) to develop her successful programme of relaxed performances and make the venue as inclusive and accessible as possible for people across the city.
The HSCEF is the Faculty of Humanities’ flagship social responsibility funding scheme which supports projects inspired by the University’s Greater Manchester location that aim to improve communities across the city-region.
After being inspired by the Alzheimer’s Society’s dementia-friendly arts guide, Alex created a three-pronged approach to improving accessibility in the Centre, focusing on people, the environment of the Centre, and their programme of events.
Alex became a Dementia Friends Ambassador and rolled out information sessions to as many stakeholders as possible, as well as asking Dementia activist Joy Watson and staff from the Manchester Deaf Centre to audit the space. From there, Alex created a visual guide to the Centre to help people prepare themselves before visiting and decided on the relaxed performance format to break down barriers for anyone intimidated by a concert hall.
Their first event, a festive sing-along, was a huge success, and Alex continued to build upon this momentum, inviting a member of staff from Sign Me Happy to support further events, as well as a BSL Signing Choir from a local primary school.
Reflecting on the impact of the project, Alex said: “It makes a difference to people to give them a space to be themselves without judgement and it’s so powerful. That’s what this was about for me – engaging with our community.”
With the support of organisations, schools and libraries across Manchester, the diverse audience has continued to grow, and the Martin Harris Centre has become a safe space for visitors from all walks of life.
Alex continues to look to the future, hoping to expand their reach even further: “As a creative space, we have to lead by example and show that it’s for everybody. No matter who you are, you’ve got this really big, open, wide scope of opportunity.”
Following the success of their recent events, the team at have organised another festive sing-along relaxed performance in the Martin Harris Centre on Friday, 19 December, from 1.10-1.55pm. This event is open to all members of the public.