“What a great sense of community”
– Michael Morpurgo
Community is at the heart of everything we do. We want theatre to be the platform that inspires, includes and unites us all.
OUR FREE TICKET SCHEMES
PLAY IT FORWARD
This is our community initiative, developed to allow EVERYONE an opportunity to access quality theatre, regardless of income, health or age. Your donations to our Play it Forward scheme have funded thousands of theatre visits from isolated older people and local state schools.
In 2024 we are expanding the initiative to include cancer patients and those suffering with chronic pain and mental health problems.
This year we have added a second scheme, The Big Neighbourhood watch, specifically aimed at combatting loneliness and isolation.
NAB A NEIGHBOUR
Starting in 2024, we are trialling a new scheme called Nab a Neighbour, specifically aimed at combatting loneliness and social isolation – an acute problem in the Cotswold District, where 16% of all households are occupied by an elderly person living alone and 37% of households on the lowest incomes lack access to a car. Nab a Neighbour encourages our Barn community to bring a friend or neighbour, who wouldn’t otherwise be able to come to the theatre, to watch a show WITH THEM. Perhaps an older person who lives alone, or a single parent who could really do with a night off. All we request in return is a little feedback to help us with our fundraising. The scheme depends on the goodwill and support of our brilliant Barn community, and we will extend it beyond 2024 if it proves a success.
These ‘Nab a Neighbour’ tickets will be available for £0 from our box office (in person or over the phone), and valid Monday—Thursday for every show.
You can support our Nab a Neighbour scheme by:
- Bringing someone who could benefit from some community support to a show with you
- Telling your friends what we’re doing, in person or via social media
- Making a donation, becoming a business sponsor or patron and directly bringing the magic of connection and live theatre to local people most in need of a boost
MORE FROM THE BARN COMMUNITY:
- We aim to host 5,000 fully subsidised visits to The Barn per year by 2025.
- Starting in 2024, we will be giving away a pair of VIP tickets per show via our ‘Good Egg Cup’ for people who make a difference in our community, and who are nominated by their peers. Keep an eye on our social media pages for further details.
- We are currently fundraising for a further programme of outreach and education initiatives to bring our creative work off the stage and into schools and care homes.
- We work with a growing circle of volunteers and Barn Champions who share our passion to change lives through the performing arts and work hard to keep The Barn going.
- We host a local amateur dramatics society, Tinkco, at The Barn twice a year. We support their productions with our back-stage crew, facilities and professional technical equipment.
- In 2024 we are applying for NLHF funding to organise another community celebration involving local schools and charities, all centred around a mass-participation event. Watch this space!
Support us
We believe that theatre has the power to move people, literally, intellectually and emotionally and that a healthy community should have a theatre at its heart.
If you would like to help with our community work, see our Support Us page for all the ways you can get involved.
For further information, contact Justine Norman:
justine.norman@barntheatre.org.uk
THE BARN THEATRE
5 Beeches Road
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7 1BN
BOX OFFICE
Tel: 01285 648255
Email: boxoffice@barntheatre.org.uk