Your support can help us change children’s lives. Help us raise £40,000 for creative activities in Barton Hill, Bristol, that support mental health, learning, confidence and so much more.
In our 40th birthday year, we set a fundraising target of £40,000 to help us continue our work with children, young people and our community next financial year.
And we are nearly there - we have already raised over 90% of our target.
We now need YOU to help us reach our target.
Funds raised will help us to make a real difference, reaching hundreds of children in our local community of Barton Hill, Bristol, by:
- Offering free creative activities and meals for children in the holidays, supporting families experiencing food poverty through healthy meals, creativity and community connections.
- Delivering free and fun creative events and performances that bring children and the community together.
- Welcoming children and young people to after school drama groups each week, developing young people’s confidence, wellbeing, self-expression and friendships.
- Reaching more children in local early years settings and children’s centres, supporting children’s development through drama, storytelling and creative play.
NEED
Many children, young people and families in our local community are grappling with challenges that shape their daily lives and future opportunities.
From child poverty to delays in communication skills, a lack of positive opportunities to struggles with mental health and wellbeing.
In Barton Hill, where Travelling Light is based, over half of the children live in poverty, a stark reminder of inequality in our city.
In this context theatre and creativity can feel like a luxury, but we know from speaking to children and families we work with that this isn’t the case, in fact the work that Travelling Light does makes a real difference to their lives.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Families in Barton Hill tell us that our work is a creative lifeline for them in the school holidays, bringing children and families together to enjoy drama and creative activities alongside healthy meals.
“We live in a high-rise block of flats and we don’t have any garden. If St Luke’s and Travelling Light weren’t running this holiday club, he wouldn’t have space to run and play. He gets to be a child, he has freedom to be himself, it’s what every child needs." Parent
Our community tell us that our work brings people together, reducing isolation, supporting wellbeing, creating connections and celebrating our diverse and vibrant area.
“It’s made me feel really happy. Seeing the kids smiling. No one is seeing race or judgement - all are one big community.” Parent at our Winter Lights event
Children who take part in our local after-school drama tell us the groups support their self-expression, develop friendships, and boost their confidence and wellbeing.
“It’s changed me so I became more confident and it surprised me so much I became more brave.” Youth Theatre member
Local early years settings tell us we nurture children’s speech and language development through drama, storytelling, and imaginative play, giving children a strong foundation for their future.
“Working with Travelling Light has certainly enhanced their language development. In the sessions and following the performance, the open-ended nature of the work gave the children the chance to speak up.” Nursery worker
Local schools tell us our creative workshops build children’s confidence, improve speaking and listening skills, and inspire a love of learning.
“It helps you learn. It makes you curious and eager to learn. It helps me remember.” Pupil
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Families, nurseries and community groups tell us that cost, lack of transport and being worried about feeling unwelcome, stops our local children accessing creative activities in the city.
That’s why we are fundraising to continue to offer free and affordable creative activities in the heart of the Barton Hill community.
With only 10% of our income coming from public funding, we rely on donations to keep providing accessible activities for children and families that make a real difference to their lives.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
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Make a one off donation:
Donations of over £50 or more will become honorary Travelling Light Friends for a year, Travelling Light Friends get a special newsletter each quarter with more about our projects and their impact, invitations to see the young people’s work first hand and a special donor’s event once a year.
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Set up a regular donation. With a regular monthly donation of £5 or more you become a Travelling Light Friend. Click on the donate button to donate monthly.
- Come and celebrate with us: buy a ticket for our 40th birthday and fundraising party on Saturday 8 March - book tickets here. All proceeds go towards our campaign.
WHAT YOUR DONATION WILL PAY FOR:
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£10 could pay for materials for a creative holiday workshop with children in Barton Hill.
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£20 could pay for travel costs for a young person to attend workshops.
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£50 could pay for an assistant facilitator to support a creative session for children.
- £100 could pay for a workshop leader to run a creative session for children in Barton Hill.