Job Details:
Vacancy for paid member: Factory International's Disabled People's Engagement Group (DPEG)

Job Description

Vacancy for paid member: Factory International’s Disabled People’s Engagement Group (DPEG).

• Are you passionate about the arts and want to support a major venue and festival to better the experience of disabled audiences across Manchester and beyond? 
• Are you a Deaf, disabled or neurodiverse person, or do you have lived experience of disability or a long-term health condition?

Breakthrough UK, a leading disabled people’s organisation, is recruiting members to join Factory International’s Disabled People’s Engagement Group (DPEG). 

Background:

Factory International programmes and operates both Aviva Studios, Manchester’s new landmark cultural venue, and Manchester International Festival (MIF). Producers of extraordinary art from world- renowned figures (think David Lynch, Janelle Monae, Akram Khan etc.) to Manchester’s rising stars, Factory International prides itself on exploring new ways of creating and collaborating, both here in Manchester and with partner venues and festivals all around the world.

Factory International’s Disabled People’s Engagement Group (DPEG) is an advisory body that brings together residents of Greater Manchester with a passion for the arts and with lived experience of disability. It was established in 2019 with the aim to help shape and inform Factory International’s approach to inclusive practice. Each DPEG meeting (which occur quarterly) has a different focus that are cycled through annually:

• Programme – including creative representation.
• Marketing – including audience development.
• Visitor Experience – including building operations.
• Impact – including creative industry and community collaboration.

Having moved into Aviva Studios just over a year ago, Factory International is now keen to expand the membership of DPEG. To both complement the existing membership and to ensure a diverse and representative group of people are feeding into their strategy, 

Factory International particularly welcomes applications from BSL users, blind and visually impaired people, mobility aid users, and people from the Global Majority.

DPEG is managed and administered by Breakthrough UK, on behalf of Factory International.

DPEG Member Criteria: 

To apply for this role, applicants must: 

• Be a resident in Greater Manchester.
• Have lived experience of disability.
• Be passionate about the arts.
• Have enthusiasm for attending live events.
• Be able to attend a minimum of four meetings a year.
• Aged 18+.
• Be open and confident in sharing thoughts and ideas. 
• Be respectful to others and of differences of opinion.
• Be solution-minded and able to deliver constructive feedback. 

Duties include:

• Attend a minimum of four meetings a year and advise Factory International’s creative and operational teams on how they can ensure their work is accessible to D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse people, and those living with long-term health conditions.
• Act as a sounding board for new ideas regarding Factory International’s access provision and programme, working proactively to ensure access is considered from the conceptualisation of a project all the way through to delivery.
• Contribute to additional focus group activity (as agreed in advance) aimed at exploring/working through specific access possibilities and challenges regarding audience experience, building function, and commercial relationships, for example.
• Attend site visits and advise on accessibility requirements for events taking place in ‘non-traditional’ performance spaces (as agreed in advance).
• Advise on and participate in relevant marketing and public engagement campaigns aimed at raising awareness of Factory International’s programme and access provision.
• Contribute to the ongoing evaluation of Factory International’s DPEG.
• Be an ambassador for Factory International (which includes MIF and Aviva Studios), both at events and out in the community.
• Be a positive, respectful, active-listening, problem-solving and supportive group member.

Commitment:

• DPEG members are expected to attend 4 meetings per financial year (in June, September, December and March respectively). Meetings typically take place on a Thursday afternoon, between 1.30-4.30pm (3 hours), at Aviva Studios in Manchester City Centre.
• DPEG members are also invited to attend additional, ad-hoc meetings and site visits to advise on specific projects. Attendance at these meetings is optional but it is hoped members will be keen to get involved.
• Successful applicants are invited to join Factory International’s DPEG for a 24-month (2 year) term. Members are then able to apply for an additional two-year term extension should they wish.
• Meetings and discussions are often site-specific, so attendance in person is usually required, however, where this represents an access barrier for a specific member, online/hybrid attendance will be offered when possible.

Please note, if during a member’s term they are offered a Fixed Term contract (over 12 months) or permeant role at Factory International they will be required to stand down from their role on DPEG.

• Travel expenses to and from meetings
• Any costs associated with the access or communication support needs of members will also be reimbursed (e.g., BSL interpreters, advocates etc.). 

Other benefits: 

In addition to payment, DPEG members will also receive:

• Invitations and free tickets to preview and press nights for Factory International’s major commissions (subject to availability).
• Complimentary Factory International Membership – benefits include priority booking, food and beverage discounts, a members-only e-newsletter and more! 
• Refreshments provided at all meetings.

Members of DPEG also have the opportunity to:

• Help inform the development of Factory International.
• Make a difference to the future cultural landscape of Manchester.
• Build skills and experience and meet new people.