Impact report
2025-2026
Our vision
A world where every child’s imagination is inspired by theatre.
Our mission
We create theatre with and for children and young people, lighting up imaginations and sparking creativity.
How We Make A Difference
Our Theory of Change
Travelling Light is working towards a world where every child’s imagination is inspired by theatre.
This means that children and young people…
- Experience and share joy with others
- Live in neighbourhoods that are vibrant and creative places
- Have creativity at the heart of their development.
- Engage with creative storytelling and play.
- Share imaginative experiences that explore their feelings, ideas and place within the world.
Because they…
- Experience theatre that is created with their stories at the heart.
- Experience theatre in their communities.
- Feel valued as individuals and artists.
- Are at the centre of how work is planned, created and delivered.
To achieve this we create theatre with and for children and young people…
- In our local community from our studio in Barton Hill, Bristol.
- In schools and early years settings, supporting the cultural entitlement of hundreds of pupils per year.
- That ‘travels light’ taking theatre to where children are, reaching children, young people and families who would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience theatre.
The Forest Door
A new show for primary school aged children.
1,609 children watched The Forest Door, which toured to 7 Bristol primary schools in spring 2026. The new show was developed from the imaginations of children, and includes a performance, interactive in-classroom activities, and resources for teachers and families.
Feedback from pupils and teachers was fantastic. Our independent evaluator observed that children of all ages and abilities were engaged and captivated throughout.
“Fantastic and very moving with a wonderful and important message.”
Teachers were surprised by the heightened level of engagement, concentration, and involvement from their classes, which exceeded their expectations, particularly from those children with additional learning, behavioural or emotional needs.
Children said how much they had enjoyed the wrap-around activities. They found the activities fun, imaginative and a good introduction to the show. They were excited to see their contributions feeding into the performance.
“It was amazing to be honest.”
Creating new work with children and young people
76 children and 43 adults took part in research and development for our new early years show, Wonder Baby, in spring and summer 2025.
Families from our local Barton Hill community spent 3 sessions playing and testing ideas with artists in the Travelling Light studio. We also visited Speedwell Nursery – exploring ideas for creative play with children and nursery staff.
“Children’s experimentation was valued, they could explore freely. The experience offered freedom.”
“There was a really gentle sense of inviting people to join in but not feeling like you had to.”
Light Up Language
“Oracy and turn-taking are so much better in the class since the start of the project. The quieter children have become more confident in speaking and the louder children have learnt to listen.”
485 children took part in Light Up Language, our 3-year Paul Hamlyn Foundation funded project exploring how drama and creative activities can develop speech and language skills (oracy).
7 early years settings and 5 primary schools took part in 2025–26. 56 staff from the settings participated in weekly activities or training sessions.
Our independent evaluator found that the project continues to develop children’s communication skills, self-confidence and self-esteem. The children in both nurseries and primary schools are highly engaged and look forward to working with Travelling Light artists each week. The project is encouraging staff in the settings to be more creative in their practice.
“People now put their hands up to share their stories who never did before.”
Creative Learning
Lighting up imaginations in education settings
767 children and young people enjoyed drama and creative play in their education settings (from early years to higher education) with creative sessions supporting self-expression, confidence and learning.
“As a teacher, it is easy to overlook the importance of this kind of work. You forget the importance of children learning to be open with each other and how important building their confidence and turn-taking are.”
In 2025–26, we delivered a series of creative workshops at Fairlawn Primary School in Bristol. We also worked with our local primary school, Barton Hill Academy, on a project about young people’s journeys to and from school. This was alongside our regular Arts Days and Play In A Week activities with partner schools, which engage whole year groups in drama activities.
“Claudia (Travelling Light artist) shows best practice of what nursery education should be. That makes us think this is what is important. This is what we should all be doing...play is really important, we need to always remember that.”
Youth Theatre and Louder Than Words
For young people aged 6-16
89 children and young people took part in our regular Youth Theatre groups with 110 drama sessions over the year. In 2025–26 we ran groups for children and young people aged 6–16 and Louder Than Words, our free group for D/deaf and Disabled children and children with additional needs.
End of term feedback showed how much the Youth Theatre members value the groups, not just for drama games and performances, but for developing their confidence, self-expression, friendships and connections. 100% of Louder Than Words participants said they made friends in the group. 100% of Youth Theatre participants said their ideas are listened to (quite a bit or totally). 97% of Youth Theatre participants said they felt safe at Youth Theatre and had fun (quite a bit or totally).
We provide subsidised and free places for those that need them, ensuring we reach children who otherwise wouldn’t have access to a drama group. In 2025–26, 53% of children received bursaries to attend.
“Within the 4 months she has been part of the group, we’ve seen a shift in her confidence at school in particular where she dares more sharing her ideas and engaging with other children.”
“Travelling Light boosts my confidence. I have a lot of fun with my friends.”
Creative Holiday Workshops
For local families in Barton Hill, Bristol
“It’s been amazing, with such a big family this has helped me entertain and feed my children…without this group it wouldn’t have been possible to do many things.”
454 children and family members in our local community took part in creative activities as part of our school holiday programme and our other community projects.
We ran 14 creative holiday sessions including healthy meals in collaboration with food charity St Luke’s Lunch. Activities included storytelling, craft, drama games, trips and picnics.
Families tell us that these spaces feel safe and welcoming, where they get to know others in the community, and they can share things about their stories and lives.
In summer 2025, evaluation showed that 90% of parents felt their children were more creative as a result of the holiday activities and 80% felt their children were more confident.
“Has been very helpful to me and my family. I am very happy with the support provided. ”
In 2026-27
we will deliver:
Wonder Baby
We will create and tour our new show, for 0–3 years and their carers, to early years settings and community spaces. Wonder Baby is grown from the imaginations of children who took part in research and development sessions (R&D).
Youth and Community programme
We will continue to provide safe creative spaces outside school for children, young people and families in our local Barton Hill community.
Light Up Language
The project will enter its third and final year with 3 primary schools and 2 early years settings in Bristol. We will continue to explore how theatre and creative play can support speaking and listening in young children, and share our findings.
Creative Learning Programme
We will continue our engagement with schools and education settings; with drama projects to support the learning of children and young people of all ages.
In 2025-26 we inspired the imaginations of…
3,911
people
1,609
children watched The Forest Door, which toured to Bristol schools in spring 2026. The Forest Door was developed with children and young people’s creative input with 128 children taking part in research and development (R&D) workshops in Bristol & Exeter.
454
children and families in our local community enjoyed free creative activities, including our school holiday programme with healthy meals and our other community projects
485
children took part in Light Up Language - our oracy project in early years settings and primary schools, with 56 staff from the settings participating in the project either through weekly activity or inset day training sessions.
76
children and 43 adults from our local community took part in R&D sessions for our new early years show, Wonder Baby, in our studio and at local nurseries.
46
We provided employment for 46 freelance artists and facilitators, and approximately 573 days of paid work. We also engaged 9 volunteers.
767
children and young people took part in our workshops in their education settings through our wider creative learning programme.
89
children and young people created theatre outside school through our Youth Theatre and Louder Than Words groups, with 84 people attending their sharing performances.
Thank you!
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Ali Sully General Manager
Dienka Hines CEO
Jamie Harber Marketing & Development Manager
Lizzy Stephens Artistic Director
Lou Betts Youth & Community Producer
Mike Akers Early Years Lead
Rachel Millett Creative Learning Project Manager -
Carlo Hornilla
Ian Stickland Chair until May 2026
Jo Cross until Jan 2026
Mark Richardson
Matimba Swana until Oct 2025
Selina Orrell Chair from May 2026
Toni Glazzard -
Aileen Wilson, Alibi, Amy Harris, Amy Iles, Barton Hill Academy, Barton Hill Little Library, Bath Spa University, Beyond Face, Biba Dar, Brenda Callis, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Brunel Field Primary School, Camilla Adams, Cashmore Early Years Centre, Central Bristol Nursery Schools Federation, Chris Woodward, Claire Greenhalgh, Claudia Collins, Daisy Bell, Daisy Kennedy, Easton Community Children’s Centre, Ed Felton, Edwina Bridgeman, Elaine Faull, Elia Jacobs, Eliza Kilburn, Emile Clarke, Fairlawn Primary School, Fifi Delaney, Hannah More Primary School, Hannah Nelmes, Hartcliffe Nursery School, Helen Wilson, Hettie Kitson, Hillcrest Primary School, Hillfields Library, Jack Drewery, James Gow, Jessica Clough-MacRae, Joseff Harris, Kate Pasco, Kerry Russell, Kieron Edwards, Lamplighter Arts CIC, Laura Street, Lauren Filer, Little Hayes Nursery School, Liz Felton, Lizzie Crarer, Lucy Cassidy, Lucy Marjoram, May Park Primary School, Megan Vaughan-Thomas, Menna Davies, Merchants Academy Primary School, Miko Coffey, Montgomery Primary School, Nell Allum, Nerys Akers, Nick Fogerty, Nicola Bohlen, Parkey Abeyratne, Pia Prabhavalkar, Rachael Duthie, Raph Clarkson, Rebecca Braccialarghe, Redfield Educate Together, Remi Oriogun-Williams, Richard Worsnop, Rising Arts Agency, Rosemary Nursery School, Rosy Roberts, Ruby Brown, Saada Jumale, Shoscombe Primary School, Speedwell Nursery School, St Luke’s Lunch, St Philips Marsh Nursery School, St Thomas Primary School, Stevie Thompson, Strike A Light, Suvi Burrows, The Swannery Youth Hub, University of Bristol, Victoria Horan, Victoria Park Primary School, Wellspring Family Hub, Wellspring Settlement, Willow Vidal-Hall, Xahnaa Adlam.
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Camilla Adams, Ed Felton.
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Godfrey Wilson Ltd
With special thanks to our Friends,
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