Matched-Funding Secured for Youth Theatre Bursaries

Central is excited to announce that it has secured matched-funding for an appeal to raise bursaries for its Youth Theatre programme. 

The matched-funding appeal will go live on The Big Give’s website between 14 – 21 June, with gifts providing fully-funded bursaries for young people to attend Central’s Youth Theatre classes for an entire year.  All donations made online during this period will be generously matched by The Childhood Trust and Ros and Alan Haigh; if the target of £20,000 is raised, the appeal will ensure twice as much support for young people to attend Central classes. 

Speaking about the benefits of arts education, Central Principal Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE said: 

“I was one of those students who read late, could not subtract and didn’t sound right.  But I discovered the arts and I was transformed.  Through the arts, I felt understood and valued, and, most importantly, felt encouraged to be more. 

But the kind of arts provision that saved me is dissolving like mist in front of us.  It has been a slow whittling away at infrastructure, access, funding and maybe, in the worst instance, recognition of the vitalness of the arts in children and young people’s lives.  This has been made worse during the last two years of pandemic.  

At Central, we have staff and students who are empowered with the skills to reverse that downward trend.  Together with The Childhood Trust, we have set an ambitious goal of providing 20 bursaries to enable young Londoners to access an entire year of Youth Theatre. We are delighted to be supported by The Childhood Trust in our drive to change lives.” 

Laurence Guinness, CEO of The Childhood Trust, said: 

“Disadvantaged children and young people suffered so much during the pandemic.  Many are now struggling with the devastating cost of living crisis and desperately need our help.  Our Champions for Children campaign will fund 88 incredible charities including the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama to provide the support and opportunities that children and young people need to realise their potential.” 

The Youth Theatre bursaries will be available for children and young people between the ages of 6 and 18 who live in London and are from underrepresented groups as a part of Central’s mission to embed diversity and inclusion across its curriculum at all levels.  This includes young people from households earning below £25k; those who are registered disabled, care-experienced, or have caring responsibilities; and young people from Black and Global Majority backgrounds.   

Training will be delivered by the School’s specialist teaching staff and will include two hours per week in one of Central’s rehearsal rooms learning skills including improvisation, voice, movement, and working with text.   

Alongside their classes, the young people will receive dedicated pastoral support from student ambassadors to ensure that they are well supported and are able to progress through the programme.  

As a part of recruitment for the Youth Theatre bursaries, Central’s team will run a series of workshops and taster sessions in local schools and with community groups.  Whether through workshops, taster sessions or participation in the year-long Youth Theatre programme, participants will benefit from the experience of arts education which has been shown to improve educational fulfilment, reduce attainment gaps and positively impact on mental health. 

Of their experience at Central, previous Youth Theatre participants have said: 

“Saturday Youth Theatre is great.  I am more confident there and have made loads of friends.  I was quite scared the first time I stood in the centre of the stage, but the classes increased my confidence and now I don’t get scared when I talk to people anymore.” 

“I was quite shy at school before Saturday Youth Theatre, but I really enjoyed Saturday Youth Theatre.  The teachers were fun, the team games we played were epic, and I made some really good friends.”  

To learn more and support this appeal, please visit the dedicated donation webpage between 14 – 21 June 2022.