AHI - Legislative Theatre process

Arts & Homelessness International (AHI) invites councils and organisations across the UK to apply for the opportunity to participate in a Legislative Theatre process, an innovative, joyful, and radically accessible methodology for co-creating policies. In the councils in which we work we run Legislative Theatre programmes in order to enable policy makers to democratise decision-making with people who are or have been homeless.

'Legislative Theatre (LT) brings residents and policymakers together to co-create innovative and effective solutions to complex challenges, promoting equity, creativity, and fun in local and national political spheres.'

The project is part of a new 3-year funded programme from Esmee Fairbairn to enable AHI to roll out LT projects around the UK. We have already run projects in Haringey, Medway, and Coventry which led to new homelessness strategies in those councils, co-created by people who are or have been homeless. We have also run other LT projects in Wolverhampton and, most recently in Northern Ireland which led to new homelessness prevention policies being set around women who have been the victim of domestic abuse.

Please note that this version of the project is condensed and will follow a shorter timeline than the previous models, which typically cost over £20,000.

To express your interest, please complete the application form below.

Key Details:

- The process involves three days of work and must be focused on homelessness.

- We will also organise three online follow-up meetings to establish co-creation scrutiny groups, made up of project participants, to help ensure that the proposals are implemented and remain accountable.
- Applications will be reviewed and selected by a panel made up of AHI team members and experts with lived experience of homelessness.
- Deadline to apply: Monday, 30th of June 2025
- We aim to select three projects to take place between July 2025 and March 2026.

AHI will provide faciliators' costs, participation payments for the time of up to four individuals with lived experience participating in the project. Additionally, AHI will cover the travel and accommodation costs for their team.

We ask that the partner organisation to ensure they are able to cover additional costs such as rehearsal and performance venues, refreshments, production costs, and participants' travel costs etc.

If you have any questions, please email samra@artshomelessint.com and cc matt@artshomelessint.com

Council / Organisation Name*

Region in UK*

Your Name*

First NameLast Name

Your role and Dept*

Your email address*

Did you attend AHI's Legislative Theatre taster workshop on 22nd May 2025?

YesI signed up but I wasn't able to attendI didn't hear about itNo

Did your council/organisation work with AHI before?

YesNo

Are you currently in conversation with any other UK-based Legislative Theatre practitioners regarding this process?*

Please describe the current situation regarding homelessness in your council area:*

Why is your council/organisation interested in participating in the Legislative Theatre process?*

What issues would you like to raise awareness of through your Legislative Theatre project?*

Do you have access to individuals affected by homelessness or rough sleeping who are interested in participating in this process with you?*

Please describe any previous initiatives your council/organisation has undertaken to address homelessness through arts, co-creation, or community engagement*

Please indicate the resources your council/organisation can commit to this project (e.g., staff time, stakeholder recruitment, venues, refreshments for workshops, production costs, additional funding)*

Please list the individuals from your council/organisation who will be involved in the project and describe their roles*

How will your council/organisation ensure the sustainability and impact of the programme after the event?*

If selected, during which quarter would your council/organisation be available to run this project?

Please provide any additional information or comments that you believe are relevant to your application*

How did you hear about this opportunity?

By submitting this application, I confirm that,

The information provided is accurate to the best of my knowledgeOur council/organisation is committed to participating in the Legislative Theatre process if selectedOur council/organisation will provide the necessary resources and support to ensure the success of this process.

Thank you for your interest in participating in the Legislative Theatre process with Arts & Homelessness International

AHI - Legislative Theatre process - Application