Royal Exchange Community Programme
COMMUNITY LINKS
Guidelines for Community Organisations
Community Links is a genuine opportunity for community organisations to forge close, developmental
links with the Royal Exchange Theatre, in particular its Participation and Learning Department. The
programme aims to work with groups who are under-represented in theatre, who may not otherwise
access the Royal Exchange and who may be at risk of social exclusion.
The Community Links scheme is managed by Tracie, our Community Programme Leader, membership
of the scheme lasts for 12 months and we are able to work with a maximum of 20 organisations at any
one time.
Please Note: This strand of our programme works with existing groups rather than individuals.
However, we might be able to signpost you to individual opportunities or organisations that can work
with individuals to build a group. We work across Greater Manchester.
How can my organisation access the Community Programme?
The programme is in two stages:
Stage
Content
Best suited to
Further information
Stage 1:
COMMUNITY
LINKS
Provides theatre tickets,
tours, and
introductory/taster
workshops
Organisations who have not
previously worked with the
Royal Exchange Theatre and
would like to make a link
Please read the
information in this
leaflet
Stage 2:
COMMUNITY
PROJECTS
Invites groups to apply to
work with us to create an
original, theatre-based
piece of participative work,
often for presentation in
our Studio or other spaces
Organisations who have taken
part in Stage 1, and now wish
to further develop their
relationship with the Theatre
Please contact us for
further information
What is a COMMUNITY LINK?
“A massive thank you for all your support with the group and providing us with such a fabulous
opportunity to engage with the theatre…..I have worked in the community for more than 20 years and
have rarely seen an initiative have such an impact on individuals the feed back we have received has
been wonderful, people are now talking about the arts and I sense a hunger for more involvement
emerging.”
1. TICKETS
Subject to availability we are able to offer free tickets as part of our core programme, for members of
the Community Links programme – you will receive further information about ticket opportunities once
you have signed up to become part of the scheme.
“We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Many of them had not been to the theatre before and some
of them had not been for many years due to their financial situation, they were extremely grateful to
have been given the opportunity to attend and are keen to go again, they keep asking what we're
going to see next. We had our session on Wednesday this week and the group couldn't stop talking
about the play and the meanings etc. We even used the play for some our improvisations.”
PLEASE TURN OVER
2. TOURS AND WORKSHOPS
Backstage tours of the building and Unlock… workshops (a practical drama workshop, linked to the play
currently on in the theatre) are available on selected dates to Community Links groups. There is also
the opportunity for Tracie to come and deliver a workshop in your setting. This can all be discussed in
further detail with members of the scheme.
“Thank you so much for the tour of the theatre - it was really informative and the group and I really
enjoyed it!”
“The session at the Centre today went really well. The practitioner was great and really got the group
engaged. I know it isn't easy when you don't know people at all and they all have their own
peculiarities but the things they wrote were very good.”
What should I do next?
For a Community Link to take place, we need:
 A completed ‘Expression of Interest’ form (below)
Forms can be submitted at any time but we will only accept new members in February / September
each year. You will be notified either way in advance of the start date


One, preferably two, representatives from the group (a co-ordinator and ideally a group participant)
to attend a Community Exchange Event or arrange an alternate meeting to discuss the scheme.
Your support and partnership to ensure that the link is a success
Please note that we currently cannot provide assistance with travel costs.
If you would like to become a Community Links partner, please register your interest in the scheme
by completing the below ‘Expression of Interest’ form and returning it to us at the Theatre.
If you would like to find out more about the scheme, please contact Tracie Daly on 0161
615 6739 or email tracie.daly@royalexchange.co.uk.
Where can I go after a Community Link?
Following a Community Link, groups may then submit an expression of interest to develop a longerterm relationship with us and to take part in a Community Project. We can discuss this in further detail
if you are successful in becoming a Community Link.
The work of the Participation and Learning Department is supported by Avalon, Beaverbrooks the Jewellers, the Booth Charities, Cargill PLC,
The Co-operative Foundation, Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund, Earnest Cook Trust, J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust, John Thaw
Foundation, Manchester Airport, Manchester Guardian Society, Norma Leigh Charitable Trust, The Oglesby Charitable Trust, Old Possum's
Practical Trust, The Rayne Foundation, PricewaterhouseCoopers and The W O Street
Charitable Foundation.
Date submitted:
Date acknowledged:
ID:
The Royal Exchange Theatre aims to make the building and its creative work genuinely accessible
and relevant to its potential users, and to build strong links which will give individuals and groups real
ownership of the building.
COMMUNITY LINKS: EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
GROUP NAME
LEAD CONTACT NAME
POSITION
ADDRESS
PHONE
EMAIL
Please give us a bit more
information about your
group (including number of
service users, and any regular
meeting days / times)
How did you hear about
Community Links?
Are you happy to be added
to our mailing list?
After referring to the ‘Community Links Guidelines’ document, please indicate which of the following
links you are interested in:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Free tickets
Taster tours and workshops
Advice / support about the use of drama and creativity within your group
A longer-term project
Please return to: Emma Wallace, Participation and Learning, Royal Exchange Theatre,
St Ann’s Square, Manchester M2 7DH or email emma.wallace@royalexchange.co.uk