Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Expands Youth Outreach Programme

Published on: 26 Aug, 2016
Updated on: 31 Aug, 2016

By Will Parsons

The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre has teamed up with TAG Farnborough Airport to expand their Targeted Placement Scheme into the Ash area.

The scheme, which reaches out to disadvantaged young people and gives theatre access to those who would not usually have the opportunity, already operates in Westborough, Guildford, as part of the Guildford Borough Council (GBC) “Project Aspire”.

Nick White, head of youth, education and community at the Yvonne Arnaud, said the theatre was thrilled to enter into the new collaboration with TAG.

He said: “After meeting at an event at the Guildford Radisson hotel in December, YAT and TAG opened discussions and it quickly became clear that we are both passionate about working to make a difference in our communities.

“Now we are embarking on our first project, working collectively to take theatre to young people who have little or no access to the arts.

“This is a great example of how the private sector can work in partnership with the arts to influence positive social change in our community.”

Farnborough Airport was the site of the first powered flight in Britain in 1908. Ownership of the airport was taken over from the MoD by TAG Aviation in 2003, and now serves private flights.

TAG head of marketing and events, Elaine Turner, said: “Offering opportunities to young people in the area is very important to our local community work and therefore we are excited to be working with the Theatre on this project.”

GBC’s Aspire initiative aims to reduce social inequality by working with partners on community projects. The Project Aspire Community Grants Scheme allows projects in the Park Barn and Westborough areas to bid for funding.

Images are of Yvonne Arnaud Youth productions.