Free trip to Igloo for Barton Hill Families
Published on 14th January 2019.
Thanks to the generous gifts of our supporters, Travelling Light brought a coach of local children and their families to the theatre, some for the very first time.
This Christmas Travelling Light wanted to offer a special gift to local families who don’t have the same access to fun, cultural activities that other families in Bristol enjoy. So we began a Christmas campaign to help local children and their parents experience a magical trip to the theatre together. The response was fantastic, and we raised over £1000!
On 3rd January 2019 we welcomed 50 local people onto the coach from Barton Hill to Bristol Old Vic where they enjoyed a free performance of Igloo, Travelling Light and Bristol Old Vic’s seasonal sensory show for 0-3s.
To help invite local families and support the trip, we worked with The Barton Hill Family Centre, a brilliant community team who are based just across the corridor from Travelling Light’s Offices. Shan, a Family Centre worker said: “Most of our families have never experienced going to the theatre, due to financial reasons and being unsure to go on their own. All of our families who attended the trip couldn't express how grateful they were and would like to say a BIG THANK YOU!”
Donations from Travelling Light supporters enabled us to pay for tickets, transport and staff the trip so everyone felt fully supported and welcomed into the space. Another member of Family Centre staff said that some families “were talking about going to the theatre again now they have had the chance to try it.”
Igloo has such an inclusive, playful and welcoming atmosphere, it was the natural choice to bring local families to. Performed in the round, the show follows two sisters who are waiting for it to snow so they can go outside and build an igloo. The audience was completely engaged throughout and the younger ones who had been really excited by travelling somewhere new, were immersed in the actors’ sleepy movements almost instantly. Parents on the trip said the show was ‘easy to engage’ with and ‘The layout made it easy for anyone to see and feel relaxed.’
There were lots of moments of spontaneous applause and even more excitement at the big glitter drop at the end. Dienka Hines, General Manager of Travelling Light attended the trip and said "I really enjoyed watching all the faces of the children throughout, it really was magic."
The day enabled local families to create new and special memories together, and, we hope, showed that the theatre can be a warm, friendly and welcoming place. One parent said they “Didn't know what to expect but we thoroughly enjoyed it and would now go again on my own.”
Travelling Light would thank everyone who donated to our 2018 Christmas Campaign for making this fantastic trip possible. If you would like to help local children and families to access inspirational theatre experiences in the future, why not become a Travelling Light Friend? Find out how.