Healthy Minds  Calderdale used a £500 Ovenden Ward Forum Grant to take families in hardship from the area to the Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime at Victoria Theatre in December 2021.

Kate Edwards said We were very lucky because the families all had tickets for the matinee performance if Jack and the Beanstalk on Weds 29^th December which turned out to be the last performance of the run because the remaining 5 shows were cancelled due to Covid affecting cast members and theatre staff shortages!

We are grateful to the Victoria Theatre who offered us the tickets at a discounted rate. The staff were really helpful when it came to booking and were clearly doing a fantastic job under difficult circumstances.

Many thanks again to the Ward Forum members for making the project possible with a generous grant.

Families enjoyed the performance and the Piece Hall afterwards. Some of the feedback said:

“My niece and her children absolutely loved it, my niece said the costumes and actors were fabulous and it really put them all in the Christmas spirit. The children were laughing and joining in from beginning to end. So, thank you again for helping to make Christmas extra special for them.” – Julia

“We had an amazing time today at the pantomime and wanted to thank you and your team for the tickets which were very much appreciated and cheered up my children no end….and me!  A welcome relief from some of the doom and gloom! We made the most of the day with free Christmas activities in the market as well. Happy Christmas and take care.” – Lynsey

“It was brilliant and a first time for my boys at the theatre. Thank you so much for the opportunity to take them.’ – Rachael

If that does sound like something your organisation may want to do, why not approach the team to enquire how securing a North and East Ward Forum Grant can help bring your project to life.

For more information about Ward Forum Grants and to apply online, visit here

If you have a good idea for a project and require some support getting it off the ground,  send an email to team@halifaxnorthandeast.com or give us a call on 01422 252209. We are here to help you.

Ward Forum Grants are distributed quarterly. This round of Ward Forum Grants closes on 24 March 2022.