Outreach

At Barbican Theatre, collaboration sits at the heart of everything we do. We work with schools and communities across Plymouth to make the arts more accessible and inclusive, creating opportunities for people of all ages to take part, get creative, and have their voices heard.

Our Creative Confident Communities programme, funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, puts local people at the centre of our work. Across Plymouth, we create inclusive spaces where creativity and confidence can grow, ensuring arts and culture are accessible to all. From family-friendly dance sessions to creative projects with LGBTQ+ community members aged 50+, each strand is shaped by the needs and ideas of the people it supports.

Schools

At Barbican Theatre we strongly believe outreach work with schools and in their surrounding communities is vital in providing true access to the arts.

Our work in the community

Illustration of diverse families joyfully dancing under the bold text "Family Dance." Colorful outfits and dynamic poses convey energy and excitement.

Family Dance

  • The Family Dance programme provides an accessible, creative space for families across Whitleigh, Estover and Southway to move, play and connect together. Aimed at children aged 3 and above and their parents or carers, the sessions offer a relaxed environment that supports confidence, wellbeing and shared time away from daily pressures. The inclusion of a communal lunch helps build relationships and removes practical barriers to taking part. Regular sessions in Whitleigh, alongside taster opportunities in Southway and Estover, have broadened engagement and allowed families to experience the benefits at their own pace.

Five women gather under a patio umbrella, arranging flowers in jars on a wooden table. The scene is warm and collaborative, with rustic decor. Gardening club int he East End of Plymouth at Prime Skatepark

East End

  • In the East End, our work has developed into a community-led Gardening Club focused on small-space growing, biodiversity and enhancing local green areas. This strand has been supported by partners including Take A Part, The East End Arts Action Group and Prime, leading to two full-time roles at Prime and multiple opportunities for local artists. Alongside this, a creative scavenger hunt invited residents to explore the neighbourhood’s lesser-known spaces through a series of interactive activities designed to highlight the character and heritage of the area. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how collaborative, place-based projects can strengthen local identity and encourage deeper engagement with the environment.

Close-up of a hand painting cherry blossoms on a canvas outdoors. Sunlight enhances a serene, creative atmosphere. Text overlay reads "Creative Connections."

Creative Connections

  • In partnership with the University of Plymouth, we developed a programme for local residents aged 60+ that combined weekly creative activity with opportunities for social connection. Over 6–8 weeks, participants took part in free arts sessions designed to support confidence, wellbeing and enjoyment, while also contributing to research exploring how creative engagement can strengthen social ties. The project offered a relaxed space to meet others, try new activities and reflect on the positive impact the arts can have later in life.

The image features the word "unspoken" in bold white capital letters over a pastel rainbow background. A cursive black "unspoken" overlays the white text.

Unspoken

  • We have been working with participants in Stonehouse aged over 50 and part of the LGBTQ+ Community to create an audio experience sharing their stories, memories and experiences. Recorded by voice actors, some of these stories do cover sensitive topics.

    This creative, collaborative initiative provided an opportunity to contribute to an innovative performance piece that gives voice to experiences that have remained unspoken.

Learn more
Person creating clay charms with engraved designs, working on a white table with various clay pieces and tools.

Honicknowle

  • In Honicknowle, our partnership with Burrington Community Hub has enabled the development of regular craft sessions led by a skilled local arts facilitator. Working closely with the Hub Manager and Community Builder, the activity has expanded access to high-quality creative opportunities in the area. The sessions are shaped by the interests and requests of local residents, supporting skill development and helping to establish a foundation for longer-term creative goals within the community.

A group of children and an adult in green vests play with a large orange and white beach ball indoors. The room is decorated with international flags, creating a playful and energetic atmosphere.

Keyham 1st Scouts

  • We have been working with the 1st Keyham Scout group since they attended our Undokai Event in 2023. 

    The 1st Keyham Scouts held their very own Undokai in 2024, with equipment donated by the Barbican Theatre, cultivating an interest in Japanese culture, game creation and community sports. 

    The ‘Squirrels’, Scouts aged 4-6, had the opportunity to hold a residential at the Theatre in December 2024, for some of them it was their first night away from home! They created a play in a day in small groups to share with family and friends. 

    The Leaders are receiving training in co-creation and artistic approaches, as well as support in holding their next Undokai event in 2025. 

A diverse group of people joyfully sings together in a bright room. The words "Wellbeing Choir" and a yellow sun graphic evoke positivity and unity.

Central Park Wellbeing Choir

  • In Central Park, a series of Singing for Wellbeing sessions has been developed following successful tasters and a positive pilot term in 2024. The sessions highlight the mental health benefits of group singing while encouraging wider use of the Central Park Hub as a welcoming community space. This strand also supports broader engagement with the city’s green spaces, positioning the park as a place for connection, creativity and wellbeing.