In November we were at the Hynt Symposium in Venue Cymru, Llandudno. This annual event is a key moment in the Hynt calendar for platforming projects, building networks and supporting the performing arts sector in Wales to explore ways to improve access and disability equity in our venues and organisations.
Following some housekeeping and updates from Megan, our Hynt coordinator, we welcomed Sian Wootton from Craidd to share updates on the Wales wide project, with a particular focus on access in production at Theatr Clwyd. This includes longer rehearsal and tech periods, challenging the norm, casting earlier, ensuring the spaces are accessible and welcoming, training, and considering the access needs of audiences. We’re all looking forward to the upcoming tour of Under Milk Wood.
Louise Ralph, Executive Director and Tafsila Khan, Access Coordinator, both from Taking Flight Theatre then shared some insights from the Breaking the Box 2 project and the legacy. This included some key outcomes at Theatrau Sir Gar. The main learning is that paid opportunities, building networks, and supporting alternative routes into the sector can and have seen more Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent embark on careers on and off stage.
Mark Jones from Gig Buddies shared an excellent poem and his personal experience of the difference Gig Buddies has made to the lives of him and his wife. We celebrated the announcement of three years of funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to help people with a learning disability and/or autism in north Wales to lead active social lives and build inclusive communities. Sian Lloyd-Davies, John Butterly and Natalie Jones also joined us from Learning Disability Wales and the Gig Buddies team to talk with attendees.
Following lunch, Andrew Miller MBE, UK Arts Access Champion spoke to us via video to set the scene for a session on All In. Technical lead Phil Lofthouse gave a first look at the All In system from a subscriber perspective and introduced the standards followed by Megan sharing the Wales context and news from a gateway organisation. We then opened the floor for some good conversations, especially around language.
We watched a video message from Jo Verrent, Director at Unlimited on their Nothing for Nothing campaign and anti-exploitation pledge. There is free training available from 3rd December 2025 and free resources on their website: Nothing for Nothing - For Organisations. This tied in well with earlier discussion of paid roles for Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent on and off stage positions created as part of Craidd, Breaking the Box 2, and Gig Buddies North Wales. An important element of coming together in person is to highlight ways in which we can join forces to be changemakers.
Next, Eloise Tong, CEO at Hijinx and Lucy White, one of the excellent Hijinx actors, brought some fabulous energy to the room and co-presented with a focus on training and how they help organisations be more inclusive. Eloise and Lucy spoke about Beyond Words, their inclusive communication skills training for the events sector, and their Creative Enabler training. Watch this space, and Hijinx socials for their new course coming in 2026.
Megan shared some interesting data collected by Amgueddfa Cymru after their first year with Hynt, which had been previously shared at the Museums Association Conference by Kirsty Alexander, CRM & Data Manager. Over 160 tickets had been issued, with 55% of Hynt cardholders as first-time bookers.
With an opportunity to share news, updates and questions, we closed the day with some further networking.
If you joined us and haven’t yet filled in your feedback form, you can do that here: https://forms.gle/a5LfGPvF3cv3cfSAA to help us plan and improve future events.
As a national scheme, it’s important to us to give these opportunities to visit other venues and to hear from a range of speakers, especially those with lived experience of Deafness, disability or neurodivergency.
“These in-person events take a huge amount of work for a tiny team so I’m incredibly grateful to my Creu Cymru and Hynt colleagues for their support.” – Megan Merrett, Hynt Administrator
Thanks also go to the Venue Cymru team, all our fabulous speakers, and our attendees for sharing their time and energy. We know it’s hard to get away from our desks butthese are the moments that reinvigorate us and give new ideas and contacts to keep growing, learning, connecting, and improving.
Hynt is the national access scheme for theatres and arts centres in Wales. Hynt is an Arts Council of Wales initiative managed by Creu Cymru.
