Keep Creating – One Year On

One year ago, Central launched the Keep Creating Campaign to raise vital funds for students impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.  We said at the time, and it is still true today: more than ever, the world needs stories; Central students are the future storytellers.  

Thanks to the generosity of 159 donors, almost £100,000 has been raised for bursaries for Central students as well as for the Student Centre which supports student health and wellbeing.  Over the past year, these vital funds have been used to award 26 bursaries and to help another 14 students through the Student Centre – and more is yet to come.   

As part of the Campaign the School hosted the Keep Creating Gala on Sunday 16 May 2021. Over 50 alumni, students and staff gave their time to contribute to the highly-viewed online Gala programme, which helped to bring the Central community together in celebration at a challenging time in the pandemic. The Gala was co-chaired by Central alum theatre producer Sonia Friedman and Downton Abbey producer Gareth Neame and the programme included appearances by Riz Ahmed, Dame Judi Dench, Cecilia Noble, Michael Grandage, Jason Isaacs, Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Danny Sapani, Toby Olié, Sir Tony Robinson, Catherine Tate and Jessica Swale.  

Many of Central’s loyal supporters, as well as members of the public, donated to the Gala.  Alumni also responded to an invitation to “Give Your Year Ago” by making a donation based on the number of years since they graduated.   

Speaking about the support they received, some of the student beneficiaries of the Keep Creating Bursaries said: 

“I was over the moon when I received the email confirming that I had been awarded the bursary. It is thanks to kind donors such as yourself, who care passionately about supporting the next generation of theatre makers, practitioners and therapists, that it becomes possible for people like myself to realise their deeply held ambitions.”

“Your bursary has made it possible for me to feel more financially secure during the final year of my studies. It has reduced both my mental and monetary stress about making ends meet, giving me the opportunity to reduce the amount of part-time work I do. This is extra time that I can now devote fully to my placements and the writing of my final dissertation and client case study.” 

“It has made me feel supported and less stressed about money for this year. There is no doubt that the removal of this strain on my thoughts has benefitted my mental health and I’m more focused on my course. With my family not able to give me the financial support they wish, I believe it’s helped them to know that I’m getting some means of backing.”   

Central students have been inspirational in their drive to keep creating and to keep telling their stories during the past two challenging years, but it is clear that ‘keeping going’ has not been easy.  As the UK works to recover from the Coronavirus pandemic, financial uncertainties continue owing to rising inflation, increased energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis – with student loans not keeping pace.   

Central students still need our combined support; the School continues to commit its own funds and asks you to keep giving as well.  Every gift of every size makes a difference to our students.  In the words of one donor: 

“It surprises me how my small gift makes a real difference to the lives of the students.  I am lucky enough to be able to donate £50 which is combined with gifts from others and passed onto the students.  It is so rewarding to know that I am making a difference, nurturing tomorrow’s talent in some small way” 

To find out more about how you can support, please visit the Keep Creating pages on the Central website. 

The world still needs good stories; Central students are the future storytellers. Help them to realise that future.