We are delighted to support the charity Life Chance Trust, as part of the festival. They do incredible work providing mentors for those young people locally who have had challenges earlier in their lives and help them navigate their early adult life and often just to have someone, perhaps for the first time to listen and support them.
We all can recognise that late teenage years and beyond can be particularly tricky to navigate, and it’s easy to take the wrong path. Life Chance Trust help with simple things, such as perhaps applying for driving licences, finding work or basic life skills needed for independent living. Successive governments have provided significant financial and other support for under 16s, but those between 16-25 are often left to fend for themselves. I urge you to look at some of the testimonials on their website https://www.lifechancetrust.org.uk/
How can you help?
It’s obvious, but even a small donation can go a long way. If you are attending one of our ‘free events’ at the festival, perhaps consider putting a few pounds into the Life Chance Buckets. Some of the charities young people will be volunteering during the festival, so even saying hello to them would be a really lovely thing.
Could you give up a few hours a month to be a mentor? If so, get in touch via the website?
Can you offer anything else to help them? For example, they take young people on days out, most recently to the Torquay pantomime). Can you offer anything like this? Think creatively.
You could have a direct influence on changing these people’s future and it does not take much.
While I have your attention: I should also highlight the work of those at our venue The Palace Theatre, which is again, run as a charitable trust and would not exist without the support of the local community. You can also donate to them while attending the festival, and more information is on their website. We are very lucky to have such a vibrant theatre in Torbay.
