CURVE LAUNCHES FUNDRAISING APPEAL TO SUPPORT DISADVANTAGED YOUNG PEOPLE IN LEICESTER
Leicester’s Curve theatre has today launched a new fundraising campaign to enable over 100 fostered and looked after young people from across Leicester to have an inspiring and educational experience at the theatre.
In partnership with Leicester City Council Social Services and Leicestershire Cares project Flying Fish, Curve is aiming to raise £9,000 for its Curve Cares summer campaign. All funds raised will support bespoke educational projects for disadvantaged young people at Curve.
These include a tailored programme of Theatre Days involving interactive behind the scenes workshops followed by a performance, the funding of bursary places for Curve’s youth theatre company and the provision of work experience placements on Curve’s 2015 community production.
Hannah Hallam, Head of Business Development at Curve commented:
“Not many people know that Curve is a registered charity and that in addition to producing the very best in theatre, we’re also committed to helping people of all ages and backgrounds engage with the arts. Every donation raised for our Curve Cares appeal will help bring the wide eyed wonder and magic of theatre to fostered and looked after young people in our local community – many of whom will not have been to the theatre before. Your donations will give a disadvantaged young person the opportunity to improve their confidence and self-esteem; build friendships, develop new skills and gain invaluable work experience that would not have otherwise been possible. Just £20 will pay for one workshop place for a young person and £145 will pay for an annual bursary place on a Curve Young Company learning programme.”
Mike Evans, Leicester City Council, Service Manager for Looked After Children in Leicester:
“There are fewer opportunities for older looked after children to get involved with the performing arts as a positive option in their lives. This project offers the prospect of older children having access to the unique facilities at Curve. This will broaden their appreciation of what is involved in the production of performances. It will also give them an invaluable opportunity to build self-esteem and confidence and improve their educational and employment opportunities.”
Parminder Basra, Project Co-ordinator of the Flying Fish Project commented:
“We are so thankful to Curve for offering this opportunity to the care-leavers we work with, who have very limited support networks and guidance when getting into work. Care-leavers face many barriers when trying to find work, especially when competing with other young people for employment. This project will help raise their own expectations of what they can achieve, as well as equipping them with skills, experience and confidence to get off to a flying start in any chosen career.”
Donations to Curve Cares can be made:
Online at www.curveonline.co.uk/curvecares
Purchase a Raffle Ticket from the Curve Café or Ticket Office for the chance to win a VIP family experience for The Sound of Music and other prizes.
By cheque or CAF voucher made payable to Leicester Theatre Trust Ltd. Send to the Development Team, Curve, Rutland Street, Cultural Quarter, Leicester, LE1 1SB
For more information on Curve Cares visit www.curveonline.co.uk/curvecares