Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025

In Knowsley, one of the UK’s most deprived boroughs, children and young people face daily challenges and limited opportunities in all aspects of their lives. They feel overlooked, judged, and disconnected, struggling to see a positive future. We aim to change this narrative – to listen, support, and empower them.

Our outreach programme supports children and young people to learn, build skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose. We actively involve them in shaping activities, ensuring their voices are heard from the start. By focusing on their interests and strengths, we create space for growth, empowerment, and connection. Every young person deserves the chance to thrive – especially those facing disadvantage. We help them believe in themselves and take steps toward a brighter future.

• We aim to increase awareness of opportunities in the creative industries – a valuable sector of the economy – and support young people in accessing opportunities for personal and professional development. Career talks in schools and career days at the theatre play an essential part.
• We engage children and young people through the arts, using creative outreach to inspire, build skills, and raise aspirations. Drawing, writing, reading, storytelling, dancing, making music are some of the activities happening in the community or at the theatre
• We to offer accessible, hands-on learning opportunities, which empower young people to recognise their potential and take charge of their future. An example of this is the workshops we organise, e.g. in DJing and make-up for stage.
• We aim to develop children and young people’s confidence, express themselves, and explore career pathways they may not have considered. Raise Your Voice has been promoting confidence, creativity and collaboration weekly for over 18 months.
• We aim to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people, while delivering inclusive work tailored to the needs of neurodiverse individuals. These concerns and access needs are considered across all our outreach activities and projects.

All funds raised support our children and young people’s outreach programme, with an annual budget of over £100,000 covering staff and activity costs. Raising over £6,000 allows for increased programme sustainability. Even if the target isn’t met, every donation benefits the children and young people we work with, ensuring the campaign’s purpose is fulfilled.

Our work is transformative. Through inclusive, creative programmes, Shakespeare North empowers children and young people to grow in confidence, ambition, and resilience. By placing community at the core, we strengthen connections and promote wellbeing. In three years, over 26,000 children and young people have been engaged. Young people like Eleanor (alias), once disengaged, now leads, inspire others, and pursues meaningful futures. Our work creates lasting purpose and hope.