Saying goodbye to Jackie
Today we say goodbye to one of the most excellent humans, Jackie Hagan. An incredibly bright, talented, caring, funny, perceptive friend. Having known each other for 15+ years it took until 2020 for us to work together.
Some of my favourite memories of my 20s and 30s included chats with Jackie over a pint getting straight into the deep stuff – our class, sexuality, gender, mental health, the state of the world and a cheerleading boost when we felt crumpled by the world.
We also rated how we were feeling by crisps and biscuits, like a special short cut code to know if we needed a hug. Eternally honest, uplifting, compassionate and fiery, Jackie will be missed so deeply by so many. Including us. – Sarah Emmott
A technicolour imagination
Jackie Hagan was a real one. A truly excellent human, and a cosmically talented artist with that rare ability to connect with anyone, in any room.
Jackie had a huge influence on me, helping to shape my desire to make theatre that is grounded in people, theatre that is honest and kind, but doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff. Jackie’s work demands that we face uncomfortable truths. It is startlingly honest and personal, she could pierce your heart with devastating truths, but would stitch it back together with her trademark warmth and wit.
I could sit in Jackie Hagan’s technicolour imagination for days and I count myself lucky that we were able to work with Jackie a few years back on our Box Tickers podcast.
Jackie didn’t deserve the lot she was given, and she’d hate the thought of people thinking she was inspirational for the way she handled it. Personally, I think the way she faced it was punk af. Celebrity stumps, tales from the hospital wards and a play about the desperate state of P.I.P assessments. Jackie Hagan was a real one, and we’ll miss her tonnes. – Rachel Moorhouse
Award winning writer, performer, trainer and activist.
Jackie Hagan was an award winning writer, performer, trainer and activist. Passionate about class, sexuality, disability and accessibility, Jackie starred in and wrote an episode of Crip Tales for BBC Four and BBC America.
She was a Jerwood poetry fellow and won the Sabotuer award for Best Spoken Word Show twice. She had shows commissioned and produced by organisations such as Unlimited, Graeae, The Royal Exchange, SICK festival, Contact Theatre and Hope Mill Theatre.
She toured globally including performances in Toronto, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. She was nominated for a National Diversity Award, a Woman of the World Award for effecting lasting social change.
She wrote for Attitude magazine, Diva magazine, Gay Star, Big Issue, Topshop and regularly cropped up on BBC Radio Four, and BBC Ouch! She was a guest lecturer at Manchester Met university and an accessibility consultant.
She delivered over two thousand workshops in prisons, hospitals, hostels, schools and fields.
Support
If you need support, here are some organisations who may be able to help.
Cruse: Cruse Bereavement Support has a local bereavement services directory, with some regions providing grief counselling.
Call: 0808 808 1677
Website: https://www.cruse.org.uk/
Samaritans: 24-hour confidential emotional support
Call: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: https://www.samaritans.org
Shout: Shout is a free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you are struggling to cope and need immediate help.
Text: 85258
Website: https://www.giveusashout.org
Mind Infoline: Hearing or speech impaired callers may contact using the main helpline numbers or choose to use RNID textphone services to contact Mind.
Call: 0300 123 3393
Email: info@mind.org.uk
Website: https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool