We are thrilled to share that Open Claps has been announced as a finalist in the North East Charity Awards 2026 in the Outstanding Contribution to Social Change category.
This is testament to the whole team for their work, especially around our play Rupture. Rupture was created in partnership with Durham University and NEPACS, and its impact continues to grow. Most recently, we co-hosted an event with HMPPS Insights where we screed Rupture to Ministry of Justice employees with the aim of highlighting the rights of parents, especially mothers, in prison.
Speaking on the shortlist announcement, Artistic Director and CEO Catrina McHugh MBE said,
“I can still remember sitting in the prison and one of the mothers saying, ‘tell me how one of your plays make change happen’. On behalf the incarcerated mothers who made Rupture, thank you for making Open Clasp one of the finalists for this award.”
The North East Charity Awards will take place on the 10th September in Gateshead.
Wish us luck!
If you would like to watch our film of Rupture, you can buy an individual ticket or a workplace offer here: https://openclasp.org.uk/event/rupture/
