All the funding and income we receive goes directly back into the work on our stages, and in the community.

We are incredibly grateful for the public funding we receive, and to all you amazing audiences for supporting us by visiting and buying tickets. However, this income alone does not cover the cost of making theatre in Bolton and providing life changing opportunities across the town for everybody to experience the arts.

Just like all other non-profit charities - we must fundraise all year round to keep all of this work going.

Here are just a few things the Octagon does in our community you might not know about…

BRIDGES GROUPS

We run a year round programme of groups for children and young adults with learning difficulties, to provide opportunities for expression, confidence building and making friends in a creative setting.

Our Bridges Group provides a year round, creative and social provision for local young adults with additional needs with opportunities to build confidence, social networks and vital skills. Bridges Groups uses creativity & theatre to provide a safe, inclusive space to develop confidence & social skills including opportunities to perform in community spaces & in our theatre.

“The group is a community, almost a family, I see individuals grow each time I watch a new performance... It is a safe environment, where he is not judged, no one says he can’t do something, there are no barriers to being a part of the Octagon community.” Parent of Bridges participant

“It's an amazing place to be... it makes me feel like my dream is coming true very soon”- Elizabeth, participant

SHARING STORIES

Working in partnership with Bolton Library & Museum Services, Bolton CVS and Bolton Wanderers in the Community, we run a project to reach families who might not otherwise be able to access the arts.

Our Sharing Stories project reaches over 500 families a year through creative activities delivered in community settings, libraries and schools across some of the most depraved areas of Bolton. Our aim is to give more young people an opportunity to share their story, increase literacy skills and be creative in the belief that everybody should have access to the arts.

FIRST STARTS

We give young people who aspire to work in the arts their first stepping-stones - whether in performance, writing, management or design - we believe every young person, regardless of their background, should be given a chance.

Make a donation today or join as one of our supporters to help us continue our life enhancing work in Bolton and beyond.