Aim

Wild Things Performing Arts CIC is a not-for-profit social enterprise that delivers inclusive performing arts tuition in the community and encourages individuality in everyone. We are partnering with Positive Steps charity in order to develop a Youth Theatre for Young Carers aged 8-18 in the community, and we need your help. Our aim is to raise £45,000 per year through various grants and this campaign in order to fund drama, dance, and singing lessons for young carers for at least 2 years.

About the project

Oldham Young Carers define a young carer as: “A child or young person who, without payment, provides help or support to a parent, sibling, or other family members, who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction, or disability.”

The campaign aims to raise enough money to fund drama, dance and singing lessons for at least 6 months for these children and young people who would be otherwise unable to access performing arts tuition. The classes will provide the young carers with the opportunity to develop their imagination and creative skills and supplement their emotional growth in a safe space. Where their lives are otherwise filled with adult responsibilities, the Youth Theatre will allow them to be children and just have fun for a little while in an inclusive and secure community.

Our Young Carers

There are an estimated 800,000 young carers in the UK. Among these, 80% reported that they felt more isolated during the pandemic. Research also found that approximately 1 in 3 young carers suffers from mental health issues. These statistics show just how essential a Youth Theatre is for them; to support their mental health and to allow them to build a safe community where they can enjoy themselves. A big problem for these young carers is the stigma and obliviousness surrounding them in the UK. 39% of young carers reported that nobody in their school was even aware of their caring responsibilities and almost £1 billion of young carer benefits are unclaimed every year, due to lack of information. Wild Things Performing Arts CIC and Positive Steps are committed to helping these children and young people by nurturing their individuality and giving them the confidence they need to be the best version of themselves, but we cannot do it without you!

How will we use your money?

 We want to be as transparent with you as possible so that you can see exactly where your money is going and what it will be used for. We have outlined a 12-month budget plan for this project, which is detailed below. The classes will run for 50 weeks of the year, barring Christmas and New Year.

• 3 specialist teachers for drama, dance, and singing - £15,750
• 3 youth helpers, one per class - £4,500
• Cost of renting the location for classes - £7,500
• Extra costs such as speakers, scripts, etc - £2,500
• 1-time cost for production costs, such as costumes, set pieces, etc - £3000
• Project management - £833 per month. This includes class planning; scriptwriting; staff management; staying in contact with parents; regular meetings with Positive Steps to review progress and discuss any of the young carers' needs/ monitor their development; performance coordination; and arranging community events.
• Total Cost for 12 months of classes: ~£43,250

Any money raised that is in excess of our goal will be used to get uniforms for the children and to fund the classes for longer, so that these classes can become a regular event in the lives of these young carers, where the rest of their lives can be filled with uncertainty.

Don’t just take our word for it!

Still not sure about the positive effects that a performing arts class can have on children and young people? Hear it straight from the source! We got in touch with past alumni and parents of students from Wild Things Performing Arts CIC and asked them how they felt these classes had affected them as they were growing up. Their testimonials are down below. 

“It means somewhere I can have fun. Something that isn’t strict where I can express myself. I love to come because it’s great to learn new acting skills and also to make new friends. I am homeschooled so sometimes, especially in lockdowns, it’s a great way to interact with other children. It has helped me be more confident and interact in times when I might not have been able to.” ~Lily, Student.

“Kaitlyn has attended Wild Things for around 9 years. We initially chose Wild Things to help her gain confidence and make new friends, whilst of course having fun! However, it's now become an extended family. I can't imagine her ever wanting to leave! Nancy and the whole team at Wild Things go above and beyond for all the children who attend. Everyone is encouraged to be their own creative individual, through drama, dance and singing. The lessons are for all ages and abilities. Wild Things have been a great support to Kaitlyn over the years and continue to support her in her acting career outside of Wild Things too.” ~John, Parent.

“I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2019 and things really changed for me. I would go to my football and rugby practices and would have bad headaches and be rolling around in pain. I started getting very scared and anxious and had terrible nightmares and couldn’t sleep. My mum would help me and say we’ll get through it but she said I was losing my confidence and, if I’m honest, I couldn’t be bothered doing things anymore. My friend at school invited me to his Christmas party at Wild Things and my mum told me to go. It was great and when I got home my mum asked me if I fancied going to drama as it might help me. I joined and loved the first lesson. Tom, my teacher, was nice to me and gave me a chance to answer questions and join in when I was ready. I am a lot better now; my medication is working, and I am not scared as much as I was. Wild Things have been there all the time with zoom lessons through every lockdown and it’s been fun. At Christmas, I took my first LAMDA exam and passed. I was so pleased; it was amazing and for the first time in ages I felt I’d done something right. Thank you for everything.” ~Sam, Student.

 We want to give these Young Carers the same thing that we've been able to give these students, as well as countless others. A place where they can build their confidence and have fun; a safe community where they can let their imaginations run wild and not have to worry about their responsibilities for a little while, but we cannot do this without your donations.

So get involved and help to make a difference in the lives of these children and young people, and CLICK ON THE LINK TO DONATE!!