Cash boost is music to the ears of theatre
THE Huddersfield-based Kirklees Theatre Trust, which runs Lawrence Batley Theatre, has been awarded more than £120,000 by the government to create opportunities for 200 new volunteers to be recruited for the Year of Music.
The theatre is administering the funding and will work with local cultural organisations to create a Young People’s Cultural Volunteering programme across Kirklees.
It’s hoped the programme will galvanise talent and leadership to offer a range of volunteering opportunities, ahead of the much-anticipated Kirklees Year of Music 2023.
This funding will provide young people who have missed out due to the pandemic with new volunteering opportunities.
The programme’s bosses are particularly keen to develop volunteer opportunities for young people who live in deprived areas, as well as those isolated by disability, health issues and mental ill-health. They will also be looking to recruit asylum seekers, refugees, and young people from migrant backgrounds.
Young people from the LGBTQ+ community and young carers are also going to be encouraged to take part.
Darren Henley, CEO of Arts Council England said: “There’s an abundance of evidence to show that volunteering can be a key factor in helping people lead happier lives.
“This new investment will enrich villages, towns and cities across England, increasing health and well-being and decreasing loneliness and isolation.”
Henry Filloux-Bennett, chief executive and artistic director of Lawrence Batley Theatre, said: “As the lead organisation for this grant and on behalf of the partners involved, we are so grateful for the support of Arts Council England for our Youth Cultural Volunteering programme. This project will rejuvenate opportunities for young residents, some of them have been hardest hit over the last few years in terms of confidence and career development.”
Colin Parr, strategic director, Environment and Climate Change, said: “The Year of Music 2023 is an exciting initiative for the whole district, and volunteering is an integral part to the work, as it roots it in the places and communities of Kirklees.
‘‘We look forward to working with partners to realise the ambition and to place children and young people at the heart of the programme.”
■ ANYONE interested in finding out more about Kirklees Year of Music can visit musicinkirklees.co.uk.
This project will rejuvenate opportunities for young residents
Henry Filloux-Bennett, Lawrence Batley Theatre