We've received a grant to bring East End Story Makers to the stage!

Image credit - Von Fox Promotions

We're delighted to share that The Squires Foundation has awarded Unfolding Theatre a grant of £10,170 to support our East End Story Makers programme. This funding will enable us to sustain and develop the programme throughout the year and co-create a theatre production with the young people at the heart of the group.

East End Story Makers began in 2021, when Unfolding Theatre worked with children from Byker and Walker to create Free School Meals — a production inspired by Marcus Rashford's campaign to end child food poverty. The show, which premiered at Northern Stage, explored the world young people wanted to see.

Since then, the group has met weekly during term time at The Lighthouse Project, led by Creative Associate Abigail Lawson and drama facilitator Harrison Rowley-Lynn.

This funding will support creative sessions and workshops throughout 2026 and 2027 and culminate in a performance, giving young people from Byker the chance to share their stories with an audience. A team of local freelance artists will be brought into the process to work alongside the young theatre makers.

We're grateful to the Squires Foundation for supporting this work, and to everyone who has supported East End Story Makers over the years.