Receiving support from a variety of successful creatives, a brand-new theatre initiative has made increasing working-class access to the arts its mission. Central to achieving their aim is the provision of accessible, affordable housing in London.

Created by Sofie Mason and Diana Jervis-Read and now known as Writers’ Block, this new housing initiative evolved out of the Omnibus Theatre and Adopt a Playwright Award established in 2008, which offered accommodation to underprivileged writers chasing their dreams in the capital. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is among the renowned writers offering generous support, donating a flat she bought to be used by up-and-coming writers.

The co-creator of Adolescence, Jack Thorne, is another big name supporting the initiative. Speaking on his own experience trying to break into the industry, he revealed that “my brother lived in Croydon and was able to put me up. He did so, rather selflessly, for five years […] For many writers the need for a roof makes writing impossible which is why this pilot is so important.”

Other established names providing the vital financial backing required to acquire housing for the project are: Martin McDonagh, David Alan, James Graham, Sally Wainright, Peter Morgan, Lee Hall, Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Stephen Beresford, Caryl Churchill and the Estate of Harold Pinter.

With only 16% of individuals in creative professions coming from working-class backgrounds, the initiative’s growth out of an award which has already supported 55 writers takes further essential steps in making the arts accessible to all. Alongside Waller-Bridge’s provision of a rent-free flat, the Omnibus Theatre are supporting the initiative by encouraging those in Clapham to offer spare rooms to emerging playwrights, becoming Omnihosts.

Omnihosts help make a career in the arts more accessible by offering radically reduced rates to writers, capped at £500 a month or £30 a night, who Writers’ Block then connect with emerging playwrights. So far, 15 hosts have signed up and 12 writers have found accommodation, signalling a promising future for both Writers’ Block and the UK creative scene.

With research from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre and the Sutton Trust revealing that the creative industries are amongst the most impacted by class imbalances, Writers’ Block are doing essential work to counteract the barriers that so often keeps working-class voices out of the arts.

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