Northamptonshire Community Foundation community hero of the week

Royal & Derngate is a leading arts and cultural venue in Northampton, welcoming audiences of all ages and working to make the arts more inclusive and accessible.

A £10,000 grant from Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s Large General Fund has helped Royal & Derngate transform an underused room into a permanent Learning & Sensory Space. The space will provide a calm environment for people who are neurodivergent, have sensory needs or experience anxiety in busy public spaces, while also supporting creative workshops, community sessions and wellbeing activities.

The project builds on the success of a temporary Sensory Space piloted during Christmas 2024, which was well received by audiences and staff. Customers said having somewhere quiet to decompress during performances was reassuring and helped them feel more comfortable attending the theatre.

The grant has funded new furniture, sensory and creative equipment, improved lighting, a new carpet and a powered entrance door to improve accessibility for wheelchair users. A local artist, Amy Proud, has also created a calming mural inspired by the theatre’s heritage. The new space will help more people feel welcome and confident visiting Royal & Derngate, while providing opportunities for creative engagement and a safe place to take a break when needed.

Northamptonshire Community Foundation is the county’s largest independent grant maker, having given more than £25 million in grants since its inception in 2001. This year marks an exciting milestone for NCF – 25 years of inspiring local giving for local needs. Building on this, NCF is also looking 25 years ahead, with bold ambition for a fairer, thriving and more connected county for generations to come. Their latest Impact Report is ready to read here.