Audible gives funding boost to Next Door But One in York

Next Door But One, based in York, has been awarded a grant from Audible’s 2026 Future Stories Fund to deliver its Next Gen Men programme.

The programme uses theatre, movement, and audio storytelling to help boys aged 11 to 16 build confidence, creativity, and emotional wellbeing.

Matt Harper-Hardcastle, chief executive and artistic director of Next Door But One CIC, said: "We're delighted to receive support from the Audible Future Stories Fund for Next Gen Men, our creative storytelling programme for teenage boys across York.

"This funding comes at a pivotal moment, allowing us to respond to growing demand from schools and young people while giving participants the opportunity to shape and share their own stories through theatre and storytelling.

"Together, we'll help more young people build confidence, creativity and communication skills, amplify their voices, and create youth-led resources that will continue supporting young people long after the project ends."

The programme will guide participants in creating podcasts, spoken word performances, and youth-led audio resources that build confidence, creativity and emotional wellbeing.

Next Door But One is one of three organisations in Yorkshire and the Humber to receive support from the fund, which this year has grown to more than £70,000.

Each recipient also receives £10,000 worth of capacity-building consultancy to help strengthen their long-term impact.

Tiffany Jackson, head of social innovations at Audible, said: "Every young person has a story worth telling, but not everyone has the same opportunity to tell it.

"Through the Future Stories Fund, we’re proud to support organisations that are creating spaces for young people to build confidence, develop creative skills and share their voices.

"Over the years, this programme has already had a meaningful impact across the UK, and we’re excited to build on that success by continuing to increase our investment in the UK and expanding the programme internationally to communities in Mexico."

The fund targets organisations working with young people from historically marginalised communities and aims to amplify their voices through creative audio storytelling.

In Leeds, Tribe Arts will deliver a three-month spoken word programme for 20 young people from Black, Asian, and Global Majority backgrounds.

Bradford’s South Square Centre will run an eight-month project for 15 girls, transforming familiar spaces into performance venues and culminating in a community 'story map' of Allerton.