Mission & Values
Our Mission:
Beacon Films is a production company that supports the creativity and talents of Disabled and/or Neurodivergent filmmakers.
Our Values:
Beacon Films is
A fun place to …
… make high quality films, …
… connect with other people …
… and feel included
At Beacon Films we believe in the Social Model of Disability. You can find out more about what that means by clicking here.
Beacon Films runs projects which work towards one or more of a grid of 12 outcomes. You can view this table by clicking here.
Our Policies
At Beacon Films, we wish to provide the safest and most inclusive possible environment for our project members and staff. We have a range of comprehensive policies that are ratified regularly by our board of directors. Click the buttons below to view each policy. (This is not an exhaustive list of our policies. Please contact us if you need to see any policies not listed here)
Support Policy (Easy Read)
Safeguarding Policy (Adults & Children)
Our Annual Reports to the CIC regulator, and full accounts
These are available to download (for free) from the Companies House website.
Here is a direct link to our page.
Tick the ‘accounts’ box to only see submitted accounts and annual reports.
Each file will begin with our independently-prepared accounts, followed by our annual report.
Access Information
On this page
Our Venue
Our Website
Finding our Entrance, in photographs
Dropped kerb directions from the carpark
1/ Our Venue
Beacon Films is located at Skills for People, 4 Glendale Terrace, Byker, Newcastle, NE6 1PB
PLEASE NOTE: visits are by appointment only, unless you are attending a workshop on which you have booked a place.
Finding our location & parking
Scroll down for a photo guide for finding our building’s entrance.
The building has “Skills for People” signs on the side.
It is located across the road from MacDonalds
The entrance is on the service road at the rear of the building, opposite Enterprise Car Rental
There is a private carpark off Glendale Terrace which visitors are able to use. This includes accessible parking bays.
The carpark can fill up quickly. There is plenty of free roadside parking directly outside the building entrance and next to Edinburgh Bike Co-operative.
If you bring your car, and park in the private car park, please provide your registration number when you sign in at reception.
If you are coming by Metro, here are the Google directions from Byker Metro Station.
We are very close to the Shields Road bus stops.
We are currently working on dropped-kerb directions. In the meantime, please contact us if you require these.
Building Accessibility
The whole building is wheelchair-accessible
All toilets are wheelchair-accessible
We have a Changing Place facility, which includes a hoist, bed and toilet
Accessible access to the upstairs floor is via a platform-style lift
Please contact us if you have any queries
Coronavirus
We still operate a Covid-aware policy. You can download our full Covid rules (updated May 2024) by clicking here
2/ Our Website
Accessibility plugins and widgets are not used on this website because evidence shows they frequently interfere with screen reader behaviour, create new accessibility barriers, and deliver a frustrating user experience for those who rely on assistive technologies.
These widgets may override or clash with users’ own screen readers—sometimes prompting users to disable their familiar, highly-configurable tools in favour of simplistic, built-in alternatives, or causing “competing” speech output, confusion, and poor usability.
Research and direct user feedback make clear that true accessibility should be integrated into the site’s code and design, rather than added via plugins or overlays.
We have tried to make this website as Screen-Reader friendly as possible however are always keen to get your feedback. You can do so by contacting us at info@beaconfilms.org.uk
Find out more by clicking here
3/ Finding our entrance, in photographs
Click a photograph to see a larger version of it.
1. Our building has a “Skills for People” sign on it.
2. The entrance is around the back of the building.
3. Enter the porch through the automatic door
4. Once in the foyer, press the button to let the reception staff know you are here, and wait for them to open the door
5. Please sign in, and someone from reception will come and meet you.
4/ Dropped kerb directions from carpark
Please note we do not own the building. If you have any queries about the venue that are not answered on this webpage, please call Skills for People on 0191 281 8737.
Social Model of Disability
At Beacon Films we believe in the Social Model of Disability and strive to apply this approach to all our work
The Social Model of Disability emphasises the responsibility of society to take positive action so that disabled people are fully included, valued, and safe rather than focusing on their impairments or differences.
By “society” we mean organisations, businesses, public bodies, government, and the wider public. This model calls on all of us to remove barriers — whether physical, attitudinal, systemic or otherwise — and to create environments where everyone can participate equally
For Beacon Films, in practical terms, this means:
Being open and transparent about accessibility at our main venue, and the access measures that are in place for workshops and events.
Supporting members to devise an Access and Support Plan or Access Rider which agrees the access requirements that will be put in place for any specific activity.
Reflecting on our practice and always being willing to learn how we can do access and inclusion even better.
Here is a brilliant video by Shape Arts which explains the social model of disability.