Behind the scenes of the pilot
- Blog
5 August 2025
List of categories for this post
When we kicked-off the All In pilot in Leeds last December, we knew this marked a significant milestone for our new access scheme. The pilot was designed not just to test our features, but to collaborate, gather real-world feedback, to help us develop an access scheme that works for disabled people and the creative and cultural sector alike.
Our pilot organisations – Leeds Heritage Theatres, Leeds Museums and Galleries, Leeds Playhouse, and Opera North – have been working closely with the All In team, helping us understand how access is delivered across different kinds of venues and organisations. Read on to find out what they have been up to.
Working with People and Platforms
The first couple of months were about listening. The All In team spent time with each pilot organisation, to better understand how they plan, provide, and communicate access. These early conversations were often face-to-face, setting up a pilot that’s as much about people as it is about platforms.
Real-World Testing
Soon, our digital tools were ready for their first real-world test. Designed to allow disabled people to secure share their access requirements, we wanted to be sure the platform was both easy to use and remove complications for both the sector and disabled people. Our pilot organisations became the first to set up profiles on the new All In platform. Watching them use the system, and hearing their honest feedback, was invaluable. These insights have helped us to refine the platform, implementing updates based on what we learnt.
As we moved into spring, the Built Environment standards were brought into piloting. Through multiple rounds of testing, we worked with Attitude is Everything to make sure our standards are clear, comprehensive, and actionable.
A big, smiling group photo of the All In team with members of staff from the pilot organisations and suppliers working on the project.
Sharing Progress
One of the most exciting moments of the pilot so far came in March, when we brought our pilot cohort and suppliers together for a workshop at Leeds Playhouse. This was a jam-packed day of ideas, challenges, and breakthroughs, as well as collecting invaluable insight and feedback to shape the fundamental elements of what makes All In different.
“The feedback from our pilot organisations in Leeds has been invaluable so far. It is fantastic to see Leeds Heritage Theatres, Leeds Museums and Galleries, Leeds Playhouse, and Opera North getting to grips with some of the early stages of All In’s platform. We are using this feedback to revise and refine our development, to make sure it meets the needs of disabled people and the creative and cultural sector ahead of roll out.”
What’s Next?
The pilot is far from over – and that’s by design. We want to take the time to get this right. Our pilot organisations are currently reviewing the Customer Service standards with Digital Communications, and Creative and Cultural Experiences standards to follow. Each of the four standards will go through the same collaborative process to make sure they’re suitable for roll out.
As for our digital tools, our developers are currently working on turning the pilot organisations’ access profiles into public-facing listings to clearly detail their access provisions and event listings, bringing us one step closer to a platform that will remove barriers to creativity and culture for disabled people, and empower organisations to make vital access improvements.