THE Bishop of Coventry was on hand to launch a fundraising appeal to inspire the next generation of children and young people in Coventry and Warwickshire through drama.
Acting as campaign patron the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth, to help launch the three-year, £250,000 appeal aimed at securing the future of the Belgrade Theatre’s Community & Education programme.
Attending an official launch alongside the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Coun Michael Hammon and his consort Mary Maginniss, current participants of the various Community & Education Company groups including the Asian Youth Theatre, Acting Out and the Senior Youth Theatre gave performances to showcase their talent.
Justine Themen, Associate Director of the Community & Education Company, said the performance groups supported the education, inspired the imagination and developed key social and employability skills of those who attended.
She added: “Confidence is part of who we are as individuals and if we don’t have confidence, we don’t have the ability to communicate with each other.
“Drama is a fantastic way of building confidence in young people.”
And Rev Cocksworth was among the many praising the ‘immeasurable impact’ the Belgrade Theatre had on the lives of young Coventrians.
He added: “The performances at the launch were extraordinarily moving from these young people for whom life in Coventry has become fulfilling and life changing.
“It was a remarkable example of young people whose lives are not being unspent but are being noticed, supported and lifted.
“The message was that Coventry is a place where something happens, something that’s life transforming and I think there are many people in Coventry who want to see young people raised to the full stature of their humanity.”
