Thank you
Blue Apple Theatre's Centre Stage campaign for Hampshire's first full-day performing arts foundation course for adults with a learning disability and / or autism has reached its target for match funding. A huge thank you to all donors and to our champion Arts Council England who will provide match funding through Big Give Arts for Impact. Now that we have met our match target any new donations will still support the campaign but will not be doubled by our champion.
““Sam finds it hard to relate to others and does not make friends easily. It has been wonderful to see his confidence grow through acting.””
Our project: Centre Stage
We will pilot weekly full day performing arts with three workshops in acting, dance and voice. Activities include improvisation, exploring meaning through clear speech, breath-control, and creative decision-making. Your support funds expert tutors, venues, and resources - creating a joyful, collaborative environment for skill-building and wellbeing.
Performing arts are transformative for people with learning disabilities – you will help them to build confidence, communication and wellbeing.
Why this matters
Adults with learning disabilities are far more likely than non-disabled people to experience loneliness, social isolation or limited social contact. Blue Apple Theatre's years of experience and research shows inclusive arts boost wellbeing and confidence, yet access remains scarce. Without creative engagement, people miss vital opportunities for growth, joy, and connection.
A pilot designed to last
Centre Stage is a twelve-week pilot - and we have designed it to be more than a one-off. Independent research and evaluation runs alongside the programme from day one, because we want to hear directly from participants: what is working, what they need, what we should do differently. That listening is not a condition of the funding - it is how Blue Apple operates. We do not assume we know best.
If the pilot succeeds - and we believe it will - our aim is to extend it into a permanent daytime offer, and to explore how it might grow across further sites in the region. Every pound raised above our target helps make that timeline shorter.
Programmes like Centre Stage are well established in other parts of the UK. We have been watching them closely. Centre Stage will be the first full-day performing arts foundation offer in Hampshire - opening Blue Apple's world to people who have never had access to it.
How you can help
Donate: Visit our Big Give campaign page before 24 March. Please be aware that any new donations will still support the campaign but will not be doubled by our champion.
