Today (Monday 18 October) Theatre Royal Plymouth have launched their new fundraising appeal for one of the flagship Engagement and Learning projects, Funky Llama.
Funky Llama creates accessible social opportunities and develops well-being, new life skills and friendships for disabled adults through its own unique programme of workshops and social events. TRP need the support of the public and their donations to enable Funky Llama to continue throughout 2022.
Scarlett Sterne, Engagement and Learning Officer at Theatre Royal Plymouth said: "Funky Llama is our wonderful project that helps disabled adults to gain key life skills and confidence, through music, drama and dance.
"We run a unique programme of workshops and events, and it can be a real lifeline for those who take part.
"Even during the pandemic, we managed to continue our 'lockdown llama' workshops online, at a time when many of our community felt isolated. Now we need your help to keep running Funky Llama in 2022."
One Funky Llama Participant said: “Funky Llama has made a big difference. It has given me some more confidence to do new things and meet new people. I was in a really bad state when I started and now am doing much better.”
Throughout the pandemic TRP continued to run their Funky Llama workshops and social events, which provided a real lifeline to many disabled adults who found themselves more isolated than ever before.
The public’s donations will help TRP to continue delivering these inspiring workshops and social events to reduce isolation for those who need these social networks more than most.
Erica Vitai, Development Manager at Theatre Royal Plymouth said: “We really appreciate any donations to our Funky Llama Appeal; all the money raised will directly fund Funky Llama in 2022. Just £5 can help us to train a Funky Llama buddy, who will support a disabled adult to attend productions and events, or £10 can help to fund one of our Funky Llama workshops in Drama, Backstage and Dance. Thank you for supporting Funky Llama!”
If you’d like to support TRP’s Funky Llama Appeal, you can donate online here, by calling the Box Office on 01752 267222 or in person when you’re next in the theatre.
Funky Llama Facts
During the Coronavirus pandemic, we ran 40 regular “Lockdown Llama” online workshops which gave disabled adults a chance to stay connected and take part in a different activity such as theatre, movement and puppetry during the lockdown.
Following relaxing of restrictions, we set up in-person Creative Hubs at two of our partner day services. We delivered 8 sessions and then when restrictions were tightened again, we continued online and delivered 60 sessions with 24 people per term.
15 people are part of our Funky Llama Steering Group, leading the direction of Funky Llama, creating new ideas for Funky Llama Socials and providing access support and guidance across TRP. We continued to run our Funky Llama Steering Group online for 63 sessions with 11 Steering Groups Members attending.
114 Funky Llama Members, who receive regular newsletters, access to creative groups and discounted tickets for selected shows.
In 2020 we sent 104 Funky Llama care packages containing a personal postcard and some craft materials for three fun creative challenges to keep Funky Llama participants engaged and connected.
In January 2021 we ran our first online Funky Llama Club Night which reached over 600 people from across the world. This gave people access to a fun and accessible club night experience from their own homes during the third lockdown.