Theatre Royal Wakefield engages 8,990 people through scheme
Theatre Royal Wakefield is placing a spotlight on its Participation Programme, which has engaged with nearly 9,000 people in the last year.
Using the performing arts to enhance the lives of people across the District, the Theatre redirects resource to encourage diverse engagement in the arts.
Going beyond providing theatrical training and technical skills, participants are able to build and develop self-confidence, wellbeing, aspirations and social engagement.
During 2025, 238 young people had the chance to perform on stage; 25 learning disabled young people were able to access Chime musical theatre training; 89 families accessed free storytelling sessions; 89 sessions were delivered to welcome asylum seeker and refugee families; 36 sessions of Stepping Out were delivered to support older people at risk of loneliness; and workshops were hosted for 25 young careers and 27 people living with visual impairments.
In addition, 6,000 school children saw the pantomime performance at the Theatre and 2,461 people supported the Theatre through attendance of its diverse schedule of fundraising events.
Head of Participation at Theatre Royal Wakefield, Aoibheann Kelly, comments: “All of the activities in our Participation Programme are either free to access or include bursaries to ensure as many people as possible are able to participate.
“While this is an ongoing schedule of sessions and workshops that have been delivered for many years, there are still people that are unaware of the positive impact that this activity has on the local community.
“As just one example, five participants from Chime, our performing arts project for learning‑disabled young people aged up to 25, have taken an inspiring further step in their development by moving from regular participants to valued volunteers within our theatre.
“Four of these young people have embraced the opportunity to become voluntary Front of House (FoH) stewards, placing them at the heart of welcoming audiences. Another participant has chosen to develop her volunteering experience in a different way by supporting Stepping Out, our group for older adults at risk of social isolation, and from the end of February she will begin assisting younger Chime participants.
“Sharing the figures from 2025, we can show the real value we deliver. Without external funding this simply wouldn’t be possible. So, it’s thanks to the funded projects we are involved with and also the donations that we receive throughout the year that we can carry on engaging with some of the most socially isolated and hard to reach in our community.”
For those that would like to support the Theatre Royal Wakefield by becoming a member, through a donation, as a corporate supporter, by leaving a gift in a will, through seat plaques or through a bespoke fundraising activity, please visit: Support Us | Theatre Royal Wakefield