Community Impact Report 2025/26
About Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
The Everyman Theatre is Gloucestershire’s leading live entertainment venue, presenting a wide range of productions year-round, including ballet, opera, drama, dance, comedy, live music and a traditional annual pantomime which attract 200,000 visitors each year. Opened in 1891, The Everyman Theatre is a Victorian masterpiece, with its magnificent main auditorium designed by esteemed architect Frank Matcham.
Off stage, The Everyman Theatre is proud to offer a leading award-winning education, community and outreach programme offering people of all ages the opportunity to engage with the arts.
Artist credit: Emma Evans (@emmaevansillustration Instagram)
Beyond the stage
The Everyman Theatre believes passionately that the arts have the power to change lives. Our Education and Community department exists to widen access to arts and culture and enhance our local community’s day to day lives. We foster connections through creativity.
As a registered charity the theatre’s operating profits are re-invested into our education, community and access work, reaching over 20,000 people annually in our goal to make the arts accessible for all.
Our Impact at a glance 2025/26
“I don’t think people realise quite how much the Everyman does with the community.”
In 2025/26 our Education and Community work reached 23,486 (2024/25: 22,264) individuals across Gloucestershire including
16,305
Free or subsidised Theatre tickets for schools, charities, carers, low-income households and other widening access groups.
14,544
Children and young people accessing one of our creative opportunities.
500
Children in hospital, or vulnerable adults in care homes watching our Christmas live-stream performance.
276
Young performers taking part in a weekly Youth Theatre, Choir or our Summer Schools.
1,153
Older adults (over 60) dancing, singing, creating and engaged in their local community.
1,258
Hours of creative education and community delivery.
187
Community arts outreach sessions for less-advantaged communities.
818
Young adults experiencing live theatre through our free ‘16-25’ membership.
43
Young people achieving an Arts Award –creative accredited qualification supporting leadership, social and emotional development.
17
Specially adapted accessible performances; including live audio described, BSL, captioned and relaxed (SEND and dementia friendly).
What We Do
Through a huge variety of projects, workshops and regular groups our awardwinning Everyman Education and Community team use art and performance to engage and inspire people of all ages and abilities.
Access – specially adapted accessible main-house performances, tours and talks.
Arts Awards – as an accredited provider we offer these unique qualifications that support children and young people to learn and develop through creativity.
BTEC – in partnership with Stagedoor Learning, we support BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts students through industry experience and masterclasses with professional theatre makers.
Bursaries – fully funded bursaries for our Youth Theatre and Choirs for low-income households. We also fund bursaries at TwoCan Inclusive Youth Theatre Company.
Everyman Youth Theatre – weekly term time theatre groups for children and young people aged 4-18 that provide a safe, creative space to express themselves.
Everyvoice – our network of community-based choirs, and outreach projects to share the joy of singing.
Casting On – a theatrically themed free knitting group… where the only drama is on the stage!
Community Arts – outreach projects with less advantaged communities to reduce barriers to creativity; in 25/26 this included young adults with complex disabilities, young carers, the homeless and vulnerably housed, refugees, victims of domestic abuse and many more.
Goldenstep – performing arts dance classes for older adults. Or as members call it “their dance family”.
Golden Voices – our free community choir for those living with dementia and their family/ carers.
Grove Street – the location of our new creative education and community space, off the lower High Street in Cheltenham opening in 2026!
Intergenerational work – bringing older and younger people together for arts projects; fostering connection and creativity across generations.
Labs – artist development and networking opportunities for local actors, writers, and practitioners.
Spotlight Club – our new social theatre interest group aimed at over 50s.
Talks and Tours – sharing our passion for what we do and our beautiful grade II listed building.
Tickets – wherever possible, we offer free or subsidised tickets to enable a wider diversity of audience to access the joy of theatre.
Access Performances: Breaking down Barriers
“This was my first experience of a live Auracast, and the sound quality was such that just the act of being able to hear perfectly moved me to tears. Every beat, every twist, every bad joke… heard loud and clear”
Access is central to the Everyman’s mission to make theatre welcoming and inclusive for all. In 2025/26, we delivered a programme of specially adapted main-house performances, including British Sign Language interpreted, captioned and audio described shows, touch tours and talks and relaxed formats tailored to SEND and dementia-friendly audiences.
Our Access Team is made up of brilliant, dedicated Theatre staff who in addition to their core roles are all committed to embedding accessibility across our operations. Their expertise ensures that accessibility is the starting point; resulting in thoughtful, highquality experiences rather than retrofitted solutions.
We aimed to deliver one access performance per month. Thanks to strong audience demand, staff commitment and organisational passion, we far exceeded this goal – programming an impressive 17 access performances with over 1,600 audience members.
Thanks to the Barnwood Trust, we also installed a new state-of-the-art hearing system. With over 30 weekly users this ‘game changing’ system has greatly improved sound quality and the overall theatre experience for our hard of hearing and visually impaired audiences. Roll on 2026/27 but not before you have all had a very well deserved rest!
“I don’t think it’s possible to explain how much it means to us all to have the relaxed performance. I know it must be the most difficult day of the run to organise, and probably is a financial disaster with all the carer tickets and space left between groups…
But the fact that The Everyman Theatre takes this hit to ensure the SEND community are included is really fantastic. So few organisations and businesses actually take positive action to be inclusive, despite claiming to be so.
The joy you bring is immeasurable; whilst the students all had an absolute blast, my staff team were also just full of energy, having seen students participate who struggle to leave the college for anything else.”
Judith, Senior Assistant Headteacher at The Shrubberies School
Creative Children and Young People: No Child Left Behind
“He loves his time with you and I can’t even begin to tell you how much it has helped his anxiety and social interactions. He is a totally different child from when he started.”
For forty years, the Everyman Theatre has championed opportunities for young people to explore their creativity. What began with a singular Everyman Youth Theatre group has evolved into a vibrant, inclusive programme that in 25/26 reached 14,544 children and young people!
In recognition of our commitment and passion for this work, the Everyman Theatre was selected by a panel of young people as the winner of Cheltenham’s No Child Left Behind: Fun and Fulfilment Award – an achievement proudly celebrated by both staff and the young people we support.
We believe every child and young person deserves the chance to be seen, heard, and inspired – regardless of their background or circumstances. Through creativity, connection, and community, Arts and Culture organisations like ours are not just opening doors but helping young people realise their potential and imagine brighter futures.
Here’s to doing it all again next year; and more!
“The Everyman Theatre was chosen as the winner because it provides a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment that helps people of all ages build confidence and essential life skills. The Theatre opens up access to arts and culture, supports charities, and is particularly welcoming to people with SEND and anxiety. With low cost opportunities and accessible resources, it helps improve communication skills and ensures everyone can take part, making them a perfect fit for this award.”
Pitville School No Child Left Behind young judges
Reaching Everyvoice: Singing with The Nelson Trust
“(The Everyman) led inspiring choir sessions at the Gloucester Women’s Centre, offering the women we support a wonderful opportunity to learn to sing and grow in confidence. Not just in their voices, but in themselves!”
The core ethos of Everyvoice Community Choirs is that singing is for everyone and alongside our regular groups – with singers aged 5 right through to 95 – Caroline and Julia AKA ‘The Everyvoice dream team’ regularly work out in the community to reach new communities.
This year we got the opportunity to work with The Nelson Trust at their Gloucester Women’s Centre where they deliver trauma-informed holistic support. What was initially planned to be ‘a bit of fun’ for their lunchtime women’s group turned into a very powerful couple of months.
Week by week we watched as the women connected, had fun, and grew in confidence. The room was often full of laughter and had a positive impact on everyone involved – our team included!
It was truly moving to see the women come together and hear their powerful renditions of some much-loved pop classics; Cher’s ‘Believe’ became their favourite song to sing together.
It was a privilege to provide an opportunity where worries could be left at the door for the women accessing Nelson Trust’s Community Services and their hard-working staff. We will keep building on this collaboration and be back again in 2026!
“Caroline and Julia brought so much energy and really enthused everyone to get involved. It is very clear they love what they do!
So many of the women have experienced a range of trauma and very challenging circumstances in their lives, this was an amazing opportunity for them to feel a sense of calm and escape for a while. I could see their confidence grow with every song. I had so much positive feedback from the women –one loved it so much she’s joined one of your choirs!
The staff that were involved with this said it helped with their wellbeing too! We can’t thank you enough for your time, energy and commitment to this.”
Louise, Peer Mentor Co-ordinator
The Everyman Education Centre –Opening Doors to Creativity in 2026!
In 2024, The Everyman Theatre purchased a community centre in West Cheltenham to be transformed into a dedicated creative arts education and community centre. Since September 2025 we have been working with a local construction company to completely refurbish the building so that it’s fully accessible and a space people of all ages and abilities can be proud to be a part of.
The building is so nearly done but here’s a sneak peak at our progress…
The Grove Street Appeal
Through our Grove Street fundraising appeal we’re aiming to raise £1 million to break down barriers to arts in culture through our new building. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has already donated and become part of our exciting venture. In addition to overwhelming generosity from Everyman Theatre audience members, we’d like to thank the following:
The Hard Hat Club
Douglas Butler
Dr PJ Crook, MBE
Mike & Lella Dey
Estate of Margaret Edwards
Edward Gillespie
Mark Goucher
Peter & Sarah Harkness
Robin Herford
Steve & Linda Jones
John Knowles
Chris & Cynthia Kong
Emma Logan
Michael Ratcliffe
Pat & Aidan Rose
Cecil Sanderson
Clive Thomas
James & Jo Trafford
Steve & Adrienne Wood
For more information about the Grove Street Appeal and our new Education Centre, scan the QR code or head to the main website: everymantheatre.org.uk
Funders and Business Sponsors
Abbey Business Interiors
Backstage Trust
Barnwood Trust
Cheltenham Borough Council
Common Ground Award
Crowe U.K. LLP
Garfield Weston Foundation
Mark Goucher Productions
The Notgrove Trust
The Owen Family Trust
The Reed Foundation
The Rowlands Trust
The Saintbury Trust
The Summerfield Charitable Trust
The West End Partnership
A Message from our Chief Executive:
Over the past year, the Everyman Theatre has continued to grow its impact and deepen its connection with the communities we serve. Reading through this report I am proud of what we have achieved together and the difference our work continues to make throughout Gloucestershire.
Community engagement has been a part of the Everyman Theatre’s DNA since its creation in 1960, when the baton was passed from the Opera House (established in 1891). This year was no different and despite the pressures facing the cultural sector, we remain as committed as ever to our social impact. Whether through our Main House performances, regular creative groups or community outreach workshops, our focus is on enhancing the day-to-day lives of our local community and making a meaningful difference where it matters most.
I am delighted with the continued development of our new Education Centre in West Cheltenham. As the building takes shape, so too does our vision for what it will become: a truly community-led creative space. Early engagement with residents and local partners has ensured that the voices of those who live nearby are central to shaping its future.
At the Everyman, we believe that creativity should not be a luxury, but a vital part of life – particularly for children and young people. Engaging with the arts unlocks confidence, supports wellbeing, and helps young people to better understand themselves and the world around them. It provides a sense of belonging, and, crucially, a pathway to brighter futures.
As a theatre producer of many years, I have experienced the impact of arts and culture in my own life and in so many different spheres and cultures. For myself, my staff and our Board Members this project is personal as we know so well the power of creativity, and we are united in our mission to broaden access for all.
We know our work is far from done, and to realise the full potential of our new Education Centre we will need the ongoing support of our community and funders who share our belief in the impact of this work.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
Mark Goucher Chief Executive, Everyman Theatre
Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre
Gloucestershire’s Everyman Theatre
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