Theatre Royal Plymouth secures renewed funding from the Veterans’ Foundation to support Armed Forces community

Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) is delighted to announce that the Veterans’ Foundation has renewed its funding for the organisation’s Our Space programme for a further year, supporting vital creative opportunities for serving personnel, veterans and their families across the region.

The renewed grant will enable TRP to continue delivering a growing range of activity designed to boost wellbeing, confidence and social connection within the Armed Forces community. The programme includes drama workshops, stand‑up comedy sessions and a choir.

Our Space was founded by TRP in 2009 to provide vulnerable individuals with free, regular and meaningful arts activity as part of personal recovery and rehabilitation. Originally established around three areas of work - Productions, Community, and Prison and Probation - the Armed Forces strand was created in 2023 in recognition of the unique needs and experiences of veterans and military families in Plymouth.

Thanks to continued support from the Veterans’ Foundation, alongside the National Lottery Community Fund (which is funding the wider programme until 2027), TRP can further develop weekly creative sessions that use theatre, music and comedy as tools for expression, resilience and connection.

The next Armed Forces comedy workshop will take place on Friday 06 March, which will be followed by a comedy night; the choir holds rehearsals at TRP’s Production and Learning Centre, TR2, every Thursday night exploring a range of genres of music; and the  production group hosts drama workshops at TR2 every Monday evening with participants working towards a production to be staged this summer.

The Veterans' Lottery is currently the lifeblood of the Veterans’ Foundation and enables the association to continue to support the veterans’ community and organisations like TRP.

Becky Ormrod, Programme Manager for Our Space, said: "We are incredibly grateful to the Veterans’ Foundation for their support. This funding is essential in helping us provide a safe, creative environment where serving personnel, veterans and their families can come together, build confidence, and discover new talents. Our drama, singing and comedy sessions have a real, transformative impact on people’s lives."

For more information on Our Space, email ourspace@theatreroyal.com.