Central signs up to the Reset Better Charter

Central is pleased to announce that it has signed up to the Reset Better Charter, an industry-wide initiative that aims to reset industry standards in a more holistic and well-being focused way following the upheaval of the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

Reset Better is run by volunteers from across the theatre industry. It originally started as a small group of Production Managers Forum members in 2020/21 who were brainstorming ideas to make the theatre industry more human-centric and ‘better’ when it re-opened. Over time, the group expanded into a working group with members from a wide array of disciplines with the aim of getting as many colleagues from across the industry as possible to commit to the Reset Better Charter and Principles and to promote this new and improved way of working in the industry. 

Whilst every show, theatre, production company and training institution is unique, signatories to the charter believe that all practitioners collectively have a duty to return ‘better’ with a fundamental commitment to placing wellness and wellbeing at the centre of our workplaces and training institutions. 

The Charter is a living document and a good practice guide which asks organisations to think beyond history and traditions and to reinvent their working practices. It is a banner for those willing to create a kinder work and learning environment with a tangible remodeling of old working processes.  

In practical terms, this means striving to achieve five-day work weeks, an end to three-session days, and encouraging and embedding job flexibility and sharing. It encourages better and smarter planning and kinder working environments which place peoples’ welfare at the heart of the work. 

Speaking about the Reset Better Charter, Dr Kathrine Sandys, Principal Lecturer in the Department of Producing, at Central, said: 

“We are proud to sign the Reset Better Charter, offering our pledge to establishing a healthier working environment for students and staff.  

Trialing schedules in dialogue with our students has enabled us to build, and continue building, a better learning environment with production practices fit for viable long-term careers in a thriving economic sector. 

Our students are the future of the creative industries, and we hope they evolve better practices moving forward into their professional careers. They are the pioneers of a new wave of thinking and collaborating, making work in a caring, productive and joyful environment. We would be delighted to share these initiatives with colleagues and partners across the sector(s) in the hope we can all collectively support our students as they embark on this future.”

David Ripley, Head of Technical & Production at Central said: 

“The pandemic gave us an opportunity to evaluate what we do in our industry. So many people had to leave during lockdown to keep themselves going and discovered better working conditions outside (for similar money). Many have not returned and those who are still in the industry often find the hours that they are expected to work is a barrier, considering their other responsibilities, such as caring or children for instance. 

As a result, we are losing people from the profession in droves, so Reset Better is an opportunity to bring some balance into our lives. As a training establishment, part of Central’s role is setting the framework for the future of this economically valuable sector. 

By adopting Reset Better we aim to send a message to our peers and industry as a whole that we must adapt to make our industry a more welcoming and vibrant place for people to have and sustain long-term careers.”

Find out more by visiting the Reset Better website and by reading the Reset Better Charter and Principles.