Hartlepool-born writer, director and Disability rights activist Vici talks about discovering counter-culture while growing up in a pit village in the East Durham coalfield. She shares her memories of moving to London where “the streets were paved with punk”, her love of bands including New Model Army and Spear Of Destiny, and of being inspired by the DIY ethos of the movement.

Vici talks about the evolution of her career as a theatre-maker. She recalls her award-winning work in the Republic of Ireland, her part in holding one of the first disability arts festivals, and her decision to return to the north-east to make work that reflects the lives of her and her friends, including her 2025 production ‘Unruly’.

Vici talks about her conditions, mental and physical, about the urgent challenges facing Disabled people in Britain today, and the political necessity of being a Disability Rights Activist. She discusses society’s obsession with perfection, the good and the bad in the high-profile media surrounding the London 2012 Paralympics, and how the struggle for equity continues.

She also pays homage to her fellow travellers, and some of the many trailblazers and inspirational figures in the disabled arts world.

Interviewed by Claire Raftery. Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright.

Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund.

For full transcript please contact periplumcic@gmail.com

The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.

Now celebrating their 20th year, Urban Kaos Dance Company is led by Stockton-based founders Amy and Kelly. They recall their life-long dancing careers and the evolution of the company - from their rebellion against the body perfectionism of professional dance to forming their own ethos where movement is for everyone.

They talk about their work which has reached thousands of people of all sizes, shapes, ages and backgrounds, including in community centres and schools, with an asylum support group and in Young Offenders Centres. They speak about their award-winning company and how they turned down Dragon’s Den - because they’re not franchiseable. And all of this born from the night they saw a field full of unicorns just off the A1.

Interview by Lynne Lawson. Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright.

Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund.

For full transcript please contact periplumcic@gmail.com

The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.

10 years ago, the ‘No More Page 3’ campaign finally achieved its goal of removing the regular photographic feature of topless female models shown on Page 3 of The Sun, a self-proclaimed family newspaper.

Hartlepool native Jennifer Yuill was one of the core activists in that movement and recalls her fellow campaigners, the strategies and techniques they deployed, battling with online trolls, and how it felt to succeed in their goal. She talks about the ongoing friendships she made in the movement, her commitment to tackling sexism in the media, and her current work with the Youth Justice Board.

Jennifer is an educator and co-founder of Woman Up!, a charity that raises the voices of marginalised, underrepresented and vulnerable women.

Interviewed by Vicky Jackson. Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright.

Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund

For full transcript please contact periplumcic@gmail.com

This interview contains swear words.

The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.

Mother and daughter Yusra and Abigail describe their individual journeys from North East Brazil to North East England. Yusra tells how she came to this country in order to find a safer life, for herself and her family. She speaks about her experiences of the asylum system as she was moved from Croydon to Birmingham and finally to Teesside. Teaching herself English, she speaks of the support given by the local drop-in groups, ARC Stockton and the joys of the UK library service.

Meanwhile daughter Abigail talks about uprooting to a new culture, assimilating to a new culture, navigating the asylum system, falling in love with Stockton and finding love in Darlington.

Interviewed by Lynne Lawson. Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright.

Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund

For full transcript please contact periplumcic@gmail.com

The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.

Middlesbrough-based Maureen Richardson was one of a kind - an early environmental campaigner and one-woman protest movement. Here, Chris Corbett, Community Engagement Officer at Teesside Archives, talks about how she found inspiration in the life of Maureen, and how it resonates with her own passion for protecting the natural environment.

Chris describes how the 1970s saw Maureen engage in large and small-scale activism, from taking on Phillips Petroleum and Warners to highlighting wasteful packaging in local shops. Chris recalls how Maureen was immortalised in song by local legend Vin Garbutt and had an oilfield (ironically) named after her.

Chris also highlights the local environmental work of Angela Cooper and the value of community engagement in ensuring Teesside Archives reflects the stories of everyday people.

Interviewed by Damian Wright. Audio Mastered by Barry Han. Edited by Damian Wright.

Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund

For full transcript please contact periplumcic@gmail.com

The words and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Periplum, or any other individual, organisation or funding body associated with the interview.