FAQs

How can I get involved?

Firstly, if you send us your email address, we can add you to our mailing list for our occasional enews.

Secondly, if you, or someone you know, would like to take part let us know by email. Sometimes we have projects people can take part in straight away, such as our current drop-in for young people aged 14 to 22, on Wednesday evenings at the Old School House in Shoreham. At other times we may be running a project with a specific group, such as children with disabilities, and there may be a wait. But we will always try to involve you, and you can always talk to us at one of our public events or performances, which happen a few times each year.

How do you decide what projects you do?

The artistic director and Board decide on the projects, with ideas coming forward from collaborators, artists, volunteers and participants.

We have run a wide variety of projects over the years with different groups using different art forms. The main reason for this is that we have enjoyed working with radio stations over many years, and they require a new subject each year. We have responded to different ‘current’ themes and ideas, while at the same time trying to develop our skills and understanding.

Where do you work?

We are based in Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex and most of our work takes place in Sussex. But this is very dependent on the project we are running. For the years between 2008 and 2013, we ran a number of projects in collaboration with Radio Berkshire and we worked often in Reading, Slough and other areas of Berkshire. And between 1996 and 2001, when we produced theatre, we toured to many venues around Britain.

What kind of charity / organisation are you?

We are a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Charity, number 1130701. So we have a group of Directors / Trustees who ultimately are responsible for the Company. We count as a charity because the objects for which we are established are ‘to advance education for the public benefit by the promotion of the arts, in particular but not exclusively the art of drama.’

How do you fund yourself?

Principally we apply for grant funding to carry out projects. Alongside this we raise income from running workshops or projects for other organisations. We also raise smaller amounts through sales of books, dvds and tickets to performances.
We are also now collecting past use-by date food each week from Tesco Superstore in Shoreham, through the Fareshare Scheme, which is open to all charities and voluntary groups. This gives us about £1000 to £2000 worth of food for cooking meals each year.

Have you been affected by funding cuts?

Yes, without doubt, the last few years have been more insecure for us than ever before. However we are still able to fund projects, in particular our work with young people.

In past years we had productive relationships with funding officers, such as at West Sussex County Council, Adur District Council and the Arts Council. Now, we have little or no contact. Our local authority and council used to fund youth services and projects for young people in need, but this has largely ceased.

Can you give me specific information?

Yes, we will endeavour to do so, just let us know in an email. We respond often to students and others interested in our field of work.

If you have a question about our use of your data, see our Privacy Statement.

Can I give you money?

(Actually, no one has ever asked this.)

We don’t have a ‘donate’ button on the site, because we feel this is more appropriate for a charity offering direct help, eg giving food to people, or a bed for the night. But we do think our work is valuable and deserves support from people who believe creativity is important and can bring participants life-changing benefits.

We are attempting to raise money through crowd funding, where individual giving can be closely linked with outcomes, and can be acknowledged by closer involvement in the project itself.

What are the BEST BITS on this website?

Jay Shurey “One of my favourite bits is the ‘Writing’ section of the ‘Ballads of Reading Jail’, extraordinary insights into the lives of people who have fallen off the tracks.”

Jon Potter “The Friday broadcast of the ‘Warning: May Contain Nuts’ week, Listen Again 2010, combined the best material from a week of comedy, debate and performance.”

Cat Vizor, Director of the charity Esteem: “The radio on wellbeing, particularly the 2013 Pick of the Week 6 minute bit on the value of helping others.”