CAN YOU HELP US?
We're The Garage Trust, a Norfolk-based charity aiming to change lives using the performing arts. Our Big Breaks project turns 10 this year. We’re raising £10,000 through our new Smiles campaign so we can give even more young people in challenging circumstances across the county free places on our music, dance, and drama classes; and on our holiday activities.
Big Breaks has helped nearly a thousand 7-to-18-year-olds. As well as funding free places on our classes it also helps with associated costs like transport, clothing, and equipment and funds access to our school holiday programmes.
Ninety percent of those who take part tell us it’s changed their lives for the better. Their confidence, aspirations, self-esteem, sense of purpose, motivation, mental health, and happiness has grown. Here's what two parents recently said:
“My nine-year-old son G, and his twin brother suffered with separation anxiety. They didn't want to do anything, went to bed crying, every school morning they were crying. Every day was full of trauma. It’s been exhausting. The school referred G to The Garage. He's like a different child. He’s confident, outgoing, tries new things. It's been life changing for the whole family. I’m so grateful.”
“My son L is 15. He has ASD and ADHD and had a tough time with one thing and another. He was this little shell. He was depressed, hurt himself, couldn't go out, couldn’t hold a conversation with anyone. He was recommended to The Garage through his therapist. He’s a changed child. It’s incredible how he presents and vocalises himself. We’re now even talking about college. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened for him. I'm forever in debt to the brilliant team that supports him and for the scheme. Our life is finally back on track.”
The number of people applying for Big Breaks has tripled this year, which is why we need your support.
Many youth support organisations are working at a reduced level or have had to close. Pressure on local authority services is increasing. So is the number of low-income families. There are less education, training, and employment opportunities for teenagers. The number of children and young people in Norfolk needing help with their mental health has also risen.
We work with referral partners including schools, statutory bodies, local councils, and registered charities like us to make sure we’re helping those who need it most.
SMILES FOR BIG BREAKS
We’re asking you to go that extra mile this summer to get sponsored to walk, run, cycle, swim, conga – whatever works for you – one of four distances:
If you're unable to take part but still want to help, please consider making a one-off or regular donation by clicking the Donate button on the right of this page. Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a big difference. Thank you!
£10 pays for one hour-long-class for a young person
£15 pays for a support worker to help young people in one of our classes
£60 pays for transport costs for a young person to attend a class for a month
£100 pays for a young person to enjoy a term of drama, dance or music classes
£395 pays for a young person to enjoy our school holiday programmes like our Big Summer Production
ABOUT US
The Garage Trust is a Norfolk-based performing arts charity running two centres – The Garage in Norwich and The Workshop in King’s Lynn. We run dance, drama and music classes for all ages and abilities; present the best of small-scale theatre from around the UK; provide GCSE qualifications; run a wide range of community engagement programmes; support artist development; and co-produce performances for children and young people. Our purpose is to change people’s lives through art, especially those of young people and those facing challenging circumstances.
Registered Charity No. 1098975
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1st Libby Seymour £250 raised 10 donations
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2nd Sophie Ludkin £100 raised 4 donations
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3rd William Hoban £20 raised 1 donation
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