About Angel Shed

A Barrier-smashing Inclusive Performing Arts Charity

Angel Shed is a charity in Islington, North London, specialising in inclusive performing arts for children and young people. We provide a safe space for children to express themselves, develop confidence, and grow into curious, creative, and courageous young people. Established in 2004, we have engaged thousands of children and young people across Islington and beyond.

What we do

• We provide five weekly performing arts workshops for 100+ children and young people (aged 7-30) in theatre, music, & movement.

“My favourite thing about Angel Shed is getting to know people very different from me and where I can genuinely be myself.” 
Youth Theatre 2 member, March 2025 

• We put on regular performances created by our members, in professional theatre spaces at our base in Capital City College.

“This show was absolutely amazing, engaging and entertaining. Clever scenes and script and a stunning set design. The devising was more than amazing, the involvement of everyone was stunningly beautiful. Loved it so much!”
Audience member, ‘Great Minds Eat Alike’, March 2026

• We run an extensive volunteer programme, providing training and experience in inclusive facilitation with children and young people.

“Volunteering at Angel Shed connects me to my local community as well as a creative community; it's fun and it’s nice to have a regular event scheduled each week.”
Volunteer, March 2026

• We engage in a range of outreach projects, delivering inclusive activities with some of the most under-served members of our community.

“The project allowed the children to express themselves through arts, crafts, and dance. The children's confidence grew throughout the program, becoming a highlight of the week. It also allowed parents to have some alone time, knowing their children were having lots of fun. I wish we could have projects like this every month. Watching children gain confidence and be themselves throughout the sessions was a particular highlight. Seeing children engage with the staff and become proud of what they have made.”
Minty Lawless, family support worker, Solace, March 2025 

• We deliver training for organisations to work more inclusively within their staff teams or with service users.

“Angel Shed’s Inclusivity Training is a now a staple part of our training programme. Sessions are interactive and fun, whilst hitting all the important marks to develop the skills to make spaces and activities as welcoming as possible for as many different people as possible. Feedback is always excellent and I would strongly recommend the training.”
Ailbhe Waterhouse, Community Engagement Producer, University of the Arts London, February 2026

 

Our Workshops and Performances

Our highly experienced and trained staff and volunteer team are the backbone of our work, delivering high-quality artistic work while providing the most appropriate support for each participant. We are led by the ideas of our 100+ members and they are active participants in the planning, creation, and performance of our work. This allows our members to share and explore the stories, issues and topics that are relevant to them.

We create inspirational and outstanding youth-led theatre, focused on long-term collaboration with children and young people from across the Islington community. Continued engagement is a core element of our work; 38% of participants aged 13+ have been members for 5-9 years.

We facilitate accessible activities for children and young people of all backgrounds and abilities:

• anyone is welcome to join
• workshops are cost-free to those who cannot afford them
• there are no auditions
• one-to-one support can be provided

We adapt to the needs of individual members, meaning everyone can participate in a way which works for them - everyone’s needs are supported, and all voices are listened to and valued.

We actively reach out to those most likely to be otherwise excluded. This includes: disabled children and young people, those with social, emotional and mental health needs, young carers, neurodivergent children and young people, and those come from low-income backgrounds.

 

Our impact

The differences Angel Shed makes in children and young people's lives are varied. We carry out regular monitoring and evaluation to measure the impact of our work against these primary outcomes:

Belonging to a community
100% of parents/carers noticed a positive impact on their child’s sense of belonging/community.

“They said that their voices were heard and mattered, that made them happy because everyone listened and respected each other. The feeling of inclusivity and no judgement touched their hearts.”

Parent/carer of YT2 members, July 2024

98% of members say they felt included.

“Anyone can join and fit in and everyone can share their ideas.” 

Youth Theatre 1 member, July 2025 

Strengthened relationships

100% of parents/carers noticed a positive impact on their child’s relationships (e.g. family, friends).

“It’s a great support. It brings new ideas, new friendships. Angel Shed is very inclusive and brings awareness of many things they don’t experience elsewhere.” 

Parent/carer of members aged 13 and 15, December 2024

96% of parents/carers noticed a positive impact on their child’s mental health.                               

“It has given a great outlet for her creative side and improved her confidence in herself – especially socially. Angel Shed has helped reduce her anxiety over public settings and situations.” 

Parent/carer of member age 13, April 2025

Increased confidence and self-esteem

93% of members say they had got better at collaborating with other children.

“I've definitely improved my singing. It has helped me to become more confident in myself and I've made friends here.” 

Music Collective member with Down syndrome, March 2026 

100% of parents/carers noticed a positive impact on their child’s confidence & self-esteem.           

“It’s been so amazing to see the development in their confidence, and Angel Shed has brought that out of them. It gives them a much-needed time away from the house where they can feel suffocated, and gives them the opportunity to be unapologetically themselves!” 

Parent/carer of members aged 15 and 17, December 2024

Improved skills

100% of members say they had developed skills.

“What I like about Angel Shed is the acting because I get to express myself and I also learn sign language.” 

Children’s Theatre member, July 2025 

100% of parents/carers noticed a positive impact on their child’s transferable skills (e.g. communication, teamwork). 

“A very good impact on my son’s life. He can communicate wonderfully now and he is the best everywhere he goes because of this confidence.” 

Parent/carer of member age 14, December 2024

Our Members

We currently have over 100 members across our core membership groups. Of our current members: 76% access our financial support, 63% are Disabled, and 55% are from the global majority.

76% of members live in Islington, with the remainder attending from neighbouring boroughs and further afield.

More than two in five children in Islington live in relative poverty (End Child Poverty Coalition, 2025) and the majority of our members live in the most deprived wards in the borough.

 

* all statistics gathered 2024-26

 

Angel Shed is a registered charity (no. 1195194)