Hi, I’m Tracy, the CEO and Artistic Director of Unanima, which is an artist development organisation based in Mansfield that exists to dismantle the systemic barriers that suppress the ambitions of learning disabled and / or autistic people within the arts and society.
Co-founded by Tracy Radford and Jayne Williams in 2006, Unanima has continued to expand its influence, challenging and reshaping societal perceptions of what learning disabled and / or autistic people can achieve.
This impact now extends far beyond theatre, through initiatives in comedy, music, writing, campaigning, university teaching, partnerships with the NHS, not to mention our annual fringe festival OneFest that brings four days of extraordinary disabled-led work to the town.
At the heart of Unanima’s work is a commitment to placing learning disabled and / or autistic people firmly at the centre, celebrating their talent, nurturing their professional development, and championing their rightful place within creative industries, and society more broadly.
Unanima’s presence in Mansfield is not incidental, it is essential. Mansfield is a town with deep creative potential but limited access to inclusive, professional arts opportunities, particularly for learning disabled and / or autistic people. By being rooted here, Unanima challenges the idea that world-class artist development must be centred in major cities, proving instead that innovation, excellence, and cultural leadership can thrive in places too often overlooked.
Being based in Mansfield allows Unanima to remove geographical, social, and economic barriers that routinely exclude disabled artists from the creative industries. It enables local learning disabled and / or autistic people to see themselves represented, valued, and supported without having to leave their community to pursue their ambitions. This local grounding strengthens confidence, aspiration, and long-term sustainability for artists who are frequently pushed to the margins.
At the same time, Unanima brings national and international attention, partnerships, and investment into Mansfield, enriching the town’s cultural ecology and reputation. The organisation acts as a bridge, connecting local lived experience with wider cultural, educational, and healthcare systems, ensuring that Mansfield is not just a site of participation, but a leader in redefining inclusion, equity, and artistic excellence.
In short, Unanima is in Mansfield because Mansfield matters, and because meaningful change happens most powerfully when it is embedded in, accountable to, and shaped by the community it serves.
See more of Tracy’s work:
Website
Social media