Local project awarded BBC Children in Need funding

BLAST Youth Theatre in Southend and Basildon has been awarded a grant of £45,000 over three years by BBC Children in Need. This grant will fund free weekly drama sessions and community performances, helping to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people facing disadvantage in Southend and Basildon.

BLAST Youth Theatre supports young people to overcome barriers to learning and integration, using creativity to build confidence, resilience and positive self-esteem. Thanks to this new funding, BLAST will continue running free weekly sessions from September 2025 through to July 2028, with activities focused on drama & performance. Sessions will be tailored to participants’ needs, supporting communication and language development, as well as mental health and wellbeing.

The project is delivered in partnership with Welcome to the UK, Signpost (Basildon) and Towngate Theatre, Basildon.

Aston spoke to Alison Garner, creative director at Elevator Arts CIC and Michelle Barrington, director and delivery lead at Elevator Arts CIC.