Always on
This project successfully funded on 31st May 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Save Sarah Ellis’ Theatre Inspiring Change
Essex, United Kingdom
Aim
Theatre Inspiring Change has transformed so many lives, but times are hard and now we're asking for your support so we can continue our work
Please help Theatre Inspiring Change continue their life-changing work!
Where it all began…
21 years ago, Sarah Ellis created a theatre company whose mission was not just to entertain (although their productions certainly do this) but to ask something of the audience - to invite them to examine their own thoughts, their opinions and, yes, maybe their misconceptions. To show them scenes highlighting injustice, discrimination, prejudice and to ask them, “Is this right?” and if not “WHAT CAN WE DO TO CHANGE IT?”
What does Theatre Inspiring Change actually do?
Using an electric combination of storytelling, lived-experience and forum theatre, Sarah and her team of professional actors have worked with over 125,000 people in schools, workplaces, and communities.
Theatre Inspiring Change’s work creates powerful discussion, prompts debate, challenges dangerous stereotypes, and asks its audiences to reflect on their role in society, the impact that their words have, and how the world may look from someone else’s point of view.
Whilst audience members are never dragged up on stage, Sarah’s productions allow them, from the safety of their seats, to walk in the shoes of someone else and to see the consequences of the words and attitudes that they may be putting out into the world.
And how effective is this?
We hear the words “raising awareness” often these days but Theatre Inspiring Change really does do this. The impact is measurable: during the project Stronger Together, which examined violence against women and girls (VAWG), Sarah and her team worked with over 6,000 people:
Before the project: only 3% knew what VAWG is and 25% understood misogyny.
After participating: 86% understood VAWG and 80% could explain misogyny.
Feedback on the production: 93% of students rated the experience ‘good’ or ‘very good’ and 100% of the teachers rated it ‘good’ or ‘very good’.
After a recent production, Gareth Howard, Assistant Head Teacher at Philip Morant School, said: “I'd just like to get on record that the workshops led by Theatre Inspiring Change have probably been the best I've ever experienced.”
Having seen BOY, which tackles LGBTQ+ bullying, at their school a student said:
“Having it put on at my school also told me very clearly that my school was an atmosphere in which it was safe to have these discussions and be an LGBTQ+ person.”
A vote from The National Diversity Awards, who have recognised Sarah’s work on a number of occasions,
“Their work is transformational, helps break cycles of violence and is something that we need more of in our society.”
Theatre Inspiring Change creates safe space, it opens minds, it works - but there is still so much more work to do and we need help.
Funding for this vital and life-changing work has been dramatically cut and we are now asking for support to keep going.
How will your donations help?
- Help us to take our existing programmes to more schools and venues
- Develop new shows and programmes tackling issues such as homophobia, transphobia and domestic abuse as well as violence against women and girls
- Consolidate existing partnerships and build new ones to develop and share exciting and new work tackling vital themes to build a healthier society
- Sustain essential staffing and operational infrastructure
We do not want to close our doors - Your donation, large or small, will literally go towards helping Theatre Inspiring Change stay alive.
Please also help us spread the word. Please share this with your networks – the support of our community has never been more important.
THANK YOU
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made