Light UP

Secure Light UPs' future. Act now.

Light UP needs you. We need to raise £25K by the 6th November to secure the future of Hampshire’s most supportive and innovative youth theatre. 

If we have played a part in supporting you, or your child, or you'd like to support the outstanding work we deliver, we ask for your support at our moment in need. 

Why our vital work is so important:

• We provide a safe creative space for children and young people to express themselves and improve their confidence whilst learning about the exciting world of the performing arts
• Our support is vital to the health and wellbeing of those we work with - we support the personal development of our students alongside their performance skills
• We train both the next generation of theatre makers and the next generation of theatre audiences 
• We are the most innovative youth theatre in Hampshire, the projects we deliver provide extraordinary opportunities for young people that set us apart from other youth theatres such as:

- Light UP Festival, the first festival of its kind to combine youth theatre and professional theatre performances together to raise aspirations, provide opportunities to see live theatre and bring professionals and those that are learning together

- Performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with our Ensemble group, training the next generation of theatre professionals

- Company classes productions in unexpected places with training from visiting professionals such as stage fighting, singing, puppetry and more

- Advanced class training towards exams, competitions and pathways into the industry

- Awards Celebration (2018 / coming in 2023) to congratulate and showcase the remarkable achievements of our students, rewarding kindness and support alongside performative achievements

Why we need urgent financial support:

We have a robust recovery plan and a clear way forward, and we need to raise £25K to bridge the gap between now and the exciting future we have been working so hard towards for the past 8 years.

It has been a rocky road the past two years as our charity weathered unchartered waters, through Covid and various lockdowns, whilst still supporting the children and young people we work with. We have a funding deficit that needs to be filled urgently to ensure there is no disruption to the high quality work and support we provide, whilst we hear back from various funders who are assessing our applications, and whilst we grow other income streams to support the long term stability of the charity, such as hiring our studio space in Hamble. 

“Light UP has enabled me to have a safe place, in a time where anxiety and other such mental health conditions are running rampant. My knowledge of the performing arts has expanded massively whilst attending classes which has consequently allowed me to appreciate the work I see in a new light. Throughout the 5 years I have attended classes I believe that UP has played a part in shaping who I am today.” - Sophia

Donate now and you will be supporting Light UP to:

• Ensure the Light UP you know continues to exist and thrive with inspiring and knowledgeable teachers, delivering the most innovative and supportive youth theatre in Hampshire
• Retain our highly skilled and extraordinary team of staff who give everything and more to their roles, the students they support and the charitable aims of the organisation
• Theatres existence and survival we train the next generation of theatre makers and performers and play an active role in supporting the theatre industry as a whole
• Community buildings that we work with, both in partnership and in hiring for our classes, we work with 11 community centres and countless creative partners

We know not everyone who wants to support us financially can, we understand, but there are other ways you can help:

• Donate your Nectar points
• Tell people about our work, our classes and events
• Support us using Easy Fundraising - an app that gives a percentage of what you spend online to our charity at no cost to you
• Tell your friends and family about our Crowdfunding campaign to help raise awareness or share on social media
• Organise a fundraiser on our behalf, perhaps you have links with a school who can hold a non uniform day in our name to raise funds, or a bake sale, sporting challenge or would like to know more about our Inset Day Workshops - you can do so through this crowfunding page by clicking 'Fundraise for this charity' 
• See if your place of employment have a charity fundraising pot and would be willing to support us, or would like to look at our Business Sponsorship Packages or can donate an amazing prize that we can hold a raffle for

Thank you for your time in reading about our campaign. With your support Light UPs future is bright.