LUCY FOSTER

CHAIR

Lucy studied History at Oxford before working as a theatre director and facilitator. As a director she created shows which toured the UK, including The Pirate Project and Epic. She was Associate Director and Participation Director with Improbable for many years, working on several of the company’s shows, including The Wolves In The Walls and Panic.

As a theatre facilitator, Lucy worked for organisations including Half Moon Theatre, London Bubble, National Youth Theatre, and The Unicorn.

She is now the Creative and Community Director at Grand Junction, a community and arts venue in west London.

Lucy is passionate about making the arts accessible for all and is privileged to take up the position of Chair of Hackney Shed.

Andrew ALDRICH

TREASURER

Andrew Aldrich is a founder member since 2006.

He has worked in a private accountancy practice and is currently a Financial Accountant for University of the Arts London. With his brother Christopher, he co-writes writes much of the music for Hackney Shed’s musical productions (previous scores have included Thumbelina, The Silver Sword, Twisted Tales and On We Go amongst others), and enjoys rehearsing and tailoring the music with the performers. 

Andrew has also been Musical Director to numerous amateur shows and pantomimes and is a pianist and backing vocalist in a function band. 

CHRIS ALDRICH

Christopher Aldrich is a founder member since 2006. 

During this time with Hackney Shed he has co-written many of the original scores for the musicals Hackney Shed has performed including Thumbelina, The Grinch, Twisted Tales and On We Go amongst others. 


Outside of Hackney Shed Christopher has musical directed several pantomimes (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Dick Whittington), and musicals (The Railway Children, Wizard of Oz, West Side Story, Camelot, Calamity Jane). He is also involved in a function band that performs around Essex when time allows! 

 

SARAH SCHOFIELD

TRUSTEE SAFEGUARDING LEAD & SECRETARY

Sarah qualified with a BA(ED) in Drama and English and taught in primary classrooms for 5 years before focusing her career on arts education.  She joined Hackney Shed as a volunteer facilitator in 2003.

In 2007 Sarah became Hackney Sheds administrator and played a key role in the running of the company and fundraising. 

Sarah is now the Head of Creative Learning at Little Angel Theatre. 

A highlight of her time with Hackney Shed in her early days there was playing Miss Hannigan in a production of Annie! 

 

AWA JAGNE

I live in East London

I studied preforming arts at the Orpheus Centre for three years and now I am currently a part of 3 theatre companies: Act Up! Newham theatre company , Hackney Shed and FaceFront Inclusive Theatre.

I did a course at Graeae theatre company to develop my acting skills and I wrote my own show with Act Up Newham it was preformed at Appelcart Arts in Eastham and it was called “ Why didn’t you tell me”. It was amazing.

DAISY VAN DEn BERG

Daisy is a barrister practising in employment and discrimination law. She has qualifications from York University, Oxford Brooks University, and Leiden University in the Netherlands.

She is experienced in advocating for individuals with disabilities and vulnerable people of all ages, both in courts and tribunals, and in other forums such as mediations or formal negotiations.

Daisy has also undertaken a variety of voluntary roles – from advising clients at CAB to teaching prisoners debating skills in order to compete against university students in debate competitions. She enjoys helping people find their confidence and their voice.

 

SHEERIN ASWAT

Sheerin Aswat has been working in the publishing industry for over 14 years starting out first in PR. She moved from PR projects to managing digital campaigns for a number of years before moving into event management running events such as large scale dinners, international professional programme delegations and book launches.

For seven years she ran the relationship management team at The London Book Fair working with publishers and authors from all over the globe. Since leaving she has gone on to support the development of BolognaBookPlus, the brand extension of acclaimed Bologna Children’s Book Fair as well as providing management consultancy to digital company Optimal.

Pamela Shaw

Pamela has worked for over 15 years in the voluntary sector including service delivery charities, research, practice development, policy and youth engagement. She is passionate about organisations with strong social values that make a real difference to the outcomes for children and young people.

Pamela came to the children’s voluntary sector from an academic research background, through training as a volunteer counsellor at Childline and since then has dedicated her career to children’s and mental health charities. She has worked for over 12 years delivering programmes and projects in Special Educational Needs, Lived Experience and children's mental health and emotional wellbeing. She has been committed throughout her career to working in partnership with young people and families to understand the best solutions to the issues that affect them.

SARA HAZZARD

Lived experience raising children who manage the intersection of race and disability. My areas of work-related expertise include strategic communications, public affairs, AI and campaigns.  I lead the #RightToRehab campaign and Co-chair the Community Rehabilitation Alliance made up of more than 60 health and social care charities and professional bodies.

What People Say About Hackney Shed

Testimonials

It's non competitive and encourages cooperation, collaboration and celebration of people's differing strengths.

Hackney Shed doesn't just support children and young people the benefits spill over to parents and carers too, especially around well being, knowing the 'shed' members are being well catered for.

“Hackney Shed provides a unique service to communities across Hackney which is financially accessible (unlike others). It's format is vital in respect of social cohesion and providing space for the development of young people in a way which is non judgemental and inclusive”

A really fun drama space where you could feel safe and comfortable expressing ideas. I've met so many cool people I wouldn't have without this.

Hackney Shed is a marvellous, shining example of genuine, meaningful inclusion.

“It is a rare and valuable opportunity to meet and make friends, socialise, develop his independence and feel rightly proud of himself”

“Hackney Shed is great and continues to wow - great for kids and parents.”

“Great energy. Inclusive for all. Creative teaching which allows children/young people opportunities to gain confidence”

"The best thing is that we have a proper theatre, with lights and costumes and musicians and everything, so when we do a show it feels like a real show, not just kids.”

"Hackney Shed enriches my child's life on so many levels. She is not only learning theatre skills, but so much more. She is learning about community and co-operation, and is gaining in confidence and self-worth."

"As a parent with a child with special needs I value the inclusivity over and above everything. This is from the point of view both of how good it is for him to feel included and valued but also from the point of view of my other two children who are able to see him and others with special needs being on an equal footing."

"We have been Hackney residents for nearly 20 years and have been very proud to find such an excellent opportunity for all children right on our doorstep."