Community raises thousands to support Totton venue and learning disability actors

22 August 2024

Community raises thousands to support Totton venue and learning disability actors  

The Arts for Everyone campaign, launched to support vital improvements and programming at Hanger Farm in Totton, has successfully met its £5,000 fundraising target.
Thanks to the generosity of the public and a significant contribution from Sovereign Housing, the campaign will ensure that people with learning disabilities can continue to enjoy and benefit from community theatre, while also making the venue is more accessible to all.

The fundraiser, hosted on Crowdfunder UK, aimed to raise £2,500 from public donations, which would then be doubled by a £2,500 pledge from Sovereign Housing once certain milestones were met. The campaign ran through July and the community rallied round, ensuring that the much-needed funds will go towards enhancing Hanger Farm and supporting its popular learning disability theatre groups.

Hanger Farm offers work experience, training and arts groups for people with learning disabilities and is run by Minstead Trust. The Trust supports over 320 people to live more independent lives along the south coast from Poole to Dorset.

The funds raised will be used to fund essential restoration and accessibility improvements at Hanger Farm, which hosts hundreds of events each year. These improvements will ensure that the venue remains a welcoming space for all members of the community, including those with learning disabilities. Additionally, the campaign will support ongoing community theatre sessions and provide new opportunities for participants to gain backstage skills and work experience in a theatre environment.

The success of the Arts for Everyone campaign was made possible by the collaboration of local donors, supporters, and the generous match funding from Sovereign Housing.

For more information and to browse dozens of upcoming shows visit www.hangerfarm.co.uk