update report - July 2022
Our charity made a strong start following our January 2021 approval by the Charity Commission; nearly 500 disadvantaged children have gone to theatre or related events as a result of our grants. These numbers were achieved despite huge challenges for schools and theatres given the Covid disruptions over this period.
Here’s what a couple of the students had to say about the experience:
"We were on the edge of our seats the whole time. It was brilliant from start to finish."
- The Magician’s Elephant, RSC
"The play was very funny and by adding members of the audience made the play more engaging…By putting in the modern spice to it just added to the already great performance. I would give it 6 out of 5 stars."
- Romeo & Juliet, Young Shakespeare Company
We were thrilled to welcome two particularly special Honorary Patrons in our first year, Sir Tom Stoppard and Sir Nicholas Hytner. These two names have given us important credibility in our fundraising efforts.
We are also delighted to announce the appointment of a new Trustee, Beverley Grimster, who brings particular knowledge of social issues faced by disadvantaged people.
n our first year we received around £4,000 in donations in addition to those made by the founding trustees. Grants totalling nearly £4,000 were made available to pay for theatre tickets, transportation, and related expenses.
Other recent areas of progress:
Received excellent feedback from teachers and students about the effectiveness of the grants in their schools.
Started discussions with six further schools regarding forthcoming grant applications
Engaged a social media specialist and are rolling out campaigns on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Established an independent Grants Approval committee consisting of a senior school administrator and an experienced theatre executive
Appointed an experienced part-time fund raiser
US Support
We have been delighted by the number of US donations the charity has received, despite donors not being able to claim a full tax deduction given theatre works! is not a registered US charity. We have now established a facility to overcome this and will shortly be providing details on the website of the facility we have set-up for this purpose. Meanwhile if this is of interest please please click the Contact button below and we will be pleased to provide the necessary information.
