LONDON - s4story -- Intercultural Roots for Public Health has been awarded a £75,000 unrestricted grant from the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales. The three-year funding, made through the Foundation's DDPO Fund, will sustain and expand the Arts Disability Network (ADN) — a peer-led programme supporting Disabled and chronically ill adult artists across the UK.

A network built by disabled artists, for disabled artists

Launched in June 2024 following a 12-month co-design process with more than 120 Disabled creatives, ADN is led by artists with lived experience of disability or chronic illness.

The network provides accessible, low-pressure spaces alongside practical, creative and holistic support, helping members build skills, confidence and sustainable creative careers while reducing isolation and increasing visibility for Disabled artists.

Year-one impact

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An independent evaluation by Dr Jo Scott found that in its first year, ADN:

• Grew to 170+ members
• Delivered 22 free, accessible workshops
• Achieved a 100% participant recommendation rate
• Created a resource library of 50+ tools and guides

One participant described the network as a place where "I feel not so isolated and lonely now." Another said it was "lovely to be in a space where other people get what it is like to be disabled and I don't feel like I'm constantly masking."

"This £75,000 unrestricted grant is a transformative milestone for Intercultural Roots and the Arts Disability Network," said Dr Alex Boyd, Founder and CEO of Intercultural Roots. "As a DDPO where our approach to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDI-A) is informed by our Arts Disability Network, we understand first-hand the barriers our community faces as professional artists and in society. This funding provides the stability we need to continue offering long-term, tailored support that empowers Disabled artists to build sustainable, fulfilling creative careers."

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Myra Stuart, Programme Manager for the Arts Disability Network, added: "My team and I navigate chronic illness and disability ourselves, so our approach is grounded in the realities our members face. The Foundation's support means we can keep offering adaptive, responsive spaces where Disabled artists connect, share experiences, and grow their practices safely. We warmly invite any Disabled or chronically ill artist seeking an empowering community to join us."

Get involved:

• Disabled and chronically ill artists can learn more or join the Arts Disability Network. (http://interculturalroots.org/project/arts-disability-network)
• Support our work by making a donation (https://www.interculturalroots.org/make-a-donation) today, or contact us (https://www.interculturalroots.org/contact-us) to discuss other ways of giving, including corporate support, in-kind contributions, or leaving a legacy gift.