Inclusion

With their positive and progressive outlook Turner Sims have made us feel a genuine, valued part of their – and Southampton’s – world. We cannot sing your praises louder!

Southampton Sight

Our inclusion pledges

To make sure we offer a warm welcome and inclusive opportunities for all, we are:

Investing in engagement on our doorstep
Diversifying our programme and welcoming new voices
Celebrating local talent
Better representing our communities
Building local and national partnerships
Creating new development and employment pathways

Our actions so far

In the last 18 months we have:

Conducted research with our artists, audiences, team and board to help identify and address underrepresentation
Launched three programmes to connect with communities ‘on our doorstep’
Recruited a diverse Vibe Collective of fourteen 18-25-year-olds living in SO postcodes to develop a new wave of events at Turner Sims
Supported The Vibe Collective to programme four Vibe Lounge events: 95% featuring performers aged 25 and under, 50% female-led and 50% led by communities with protected characteristics
Created a welcome film with Bassett Green Primary School to show what to expect when visiting the venue
Programmed 51% female-led events and 25% led by communities with protected characteristics
Introduced new tiered pricing with a range of prices to suit different budgets
Prioritised accessibility in the redevelopment of our website
Partnered with Black Lives in Music to help dismantle structural racism in our industry
Partnered with Southampton Forward and John Hansard Gallery to commission a series of Diversity and Inclusion workshops for the city
Partnered with the University of Southampton Department of Music to present a community tour, providing free live music for Southampton Sight and Swaythling Primary School
Partnered with Clear and Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group to provide free tickets for refugees
Established an EDI and Safeguarding subgroup of our Strategic Board to increase accountability

University of Southampton commitments

As part of the University of Southampton we:

are committed to creating an inclusive community where people feel welcome, included and supported
intentionally lead and influence social change at both a local and national level
are embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work
have achieved University of Sanctuary status in October 2024, recognising our commitment to creating a culture of safety, inclusion and support for those seeking sanctuary

Welcoming new voices: Josh’s story

Josh was one of our first cohort of The Vibe Collective, a group of fourteen 18-25-year-olds recruited to develop a new wave of events at Turner Sims. Through the programme he discovered that combining the input of lots of different types of people has the biggest output.

‘We drew from everyone’s strengths and tried to put everyone’s opinions and values together to create something we could all agree on. Turner Sims set up that foundation and guidance. We executed it well and I’m proud of that.’

‘The Vibe has definitely changed how I see arts and culture in the city. Turner Sims saying you guys aged 18-25, you are going to shape the next 20 years in the city and we value your opinions – that was special.’