By Phil Campbell

Copyright walesonline

An actor from West Yorkshire has praised the impact England’s leading learning disability performance and live arts company has had on his life and the lives of other neurodivergent performers, crediting National Lottery funding with creating life-changing opportunities. Jake Thow’s success story is one of many made possible by The National Lottery’s £15.6 million investment in Bradford 2025, demonstrating how lottery funding transforms lives. Thow, 30, who hails from Crossgates in Leeds and has autism, has been acting with Mind the Gap, England’s premier learning disability performance and arts company, since 2018, and said the opportunities the organisation had given him had changed his life. Mind the Gap, founded in 1988 by Tim Wheeler and Susan Brown, exists to enable people with learning disabilities and autism to be part of an arts sector free from discrimination. In November 2024, Thow, graduated from the Performance Academy, a level 4 course in theatre, dance and music validated by York St. John University. Thow will next be performing in the company’s new production of The Invite, an immersive theatre experience that has been commissioned by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, and will take place at The Beacon, Bradford 2025’s touring venue, in Lister Park, Bradford from 17 – 20 September. “Without Mind the Gap, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Thow, who has also performed at Leeds Playhouse. “I got to graduate from York St. John as part of my training which was incredible; it was like a royal wedding. When I did shows at the Playhouse and after it shut for renovations, there was a point where I thought, ‘what am I going to do?’ and that was around 2018/2019. “That is when I found out about Mind the Gap, and they have been very important. They help prove that people who have a learning disability can achieve something in their life.” The Invite is a blend of music, movement and raw storytelling, with the actors’ own lived experiences inspiring the production’s creation and script. Thow feels this adds a special authenticity to the performance and hopes it can help people who have also gone through the same difficulties. “It’s great that our work could act as an outlet for people,” he continued. “One thing I did find through being with Mind the Gap is that I’m not the only one who has gone through some difficulties at school and maybe others can relate to that through our work.” Mind the Gap has been one of multiple recipients of The National Lottery funding over the years, receiving funding since 1997 through Arts Council England and The National Lottery Community Fund. It is among the recipients of funding for arts projects as part of Bradford 2025, using the money to put on The Invite to mark the year-long celebration. Founded in 1988, Mind the Gap is a non-profit organisation which is part-funded by National Lottery players which distributes £30m a week to support good causes. Such funding has allowed Mind the Gap to continually breakdown barriers, celebrate diversity and empower individuals with learning disabilities and autism in the world of performing arts, demonstrating the transformative impact of National Lottery investment on communities. During its 30-year history, The National Lottery has invested £333m in more than 4,000 good causes across each of Bradford’s 30 wards. “Thanks to funding from the National Lottery, Mind the Gap is able to create bold, innovative productions like The Invite for Bradford 2025 and beyond,” said executive producer Maria Thelwell. “National Lottery players make it possible for us to put learning disabled and autistic artists at the heart of the creative process and challenge perceptions of who gets to make and experience world-class theatre. It would be fantastic to share what we do with patrons who believes in what we believe; that art is for everyone.” Darren Henley, Chief Executive Officer, Arts Council England, said: “I’m so proud that we are able to support Mind the Gap through National Lottery funding, they do incredible work in creating productions with and about learning disabled and autistic artists, reflecting their lived experiences. Mind the Gap are pivotal to our cultural landscape, both in Bradford and West Yorkshire, and beyond. It is great to see their work showcased as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture’s programme of activity which reflects the creativity of the communities that live across the district – giving them the chance to tell their stories. And it’s all happening thanks to public investment from taxpayers and National Lottery players.”