Oily Cart win Fantastic For Families Award 2021

The Fantastic for Families Audience Impact & Innovation Award recognises the innovative ways organisations and cultural providers' have adapted their work and approach to reach families in need during the pandemic.

This year, Fantastic for Families chose Oily Cart's Uncancellable Programme, which included WAF postal project Space To Be.

Based right here in Wandsworth, and proudly supported by Wandsworth Council, Oily Cart has been creating accessible, sensory theatre for and with disabled and non-disabled children, young people and their families for 40 years.

Oily Cart said: "When the pandemic began, we found we weren’t allowed into theatres and schools, or any of the places we normally perform. We couldn’t create close-up, interactive shows that used touch as a central technique, either. Many of our audience were – and still are – shielding, often with increased caring responsibilities as support was withdrawn. Families told us that theatre would need to come to them, that it would need to be flexible around caregiving, and that many digital offers were not accessible for their children. 

The Uncancellable Programme was our response, to ensure we could continue to reach shielding families in a safe and meaningful way. We created work in entirely new formats, taking performances into playgrounds, onto doorsteps, and through Zoom screens. We delivered shows in the post, created online interactive sessions, and premiered our first sensory films. We had some great responses to this new work.”

Read the full report on the impact of the Uncancellable Programme here: oilycart.org.uk/resources/the-uncancellable-programme-report/ 

See all of this year's Fantastic For Families award winners here: fantasticforfamilies.com/news/1141/uk-s-best-family-friendly-activities-and-age-friendly-initiatives-during-the-pandemic-revealed