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What we do

Reach Inclusive Arts (RIA), runs two flagship programs aimed at adults with learning and physical disabilities, mental health issues, sensory impairments, or social anxiety.

Partners Theatre Company

Partners Theatre Company has been based at the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon for over 20 years and is aimed at adults with learning and physical disabilities, mental health issues, sensory impairments, and social anxiety. Reaching audiences of over 1000 people a year, the company has a significant reputation in the South West and is known for the quality and relevance of their work. Their unique strength is the ability to take a universal theme and animate the idea through a dramatic structure that takes the audience on a journey of honest emotions and pure entertainment. Partners Theatre Company is run by experienced arts professionals and takes place weekly on a Monday from 10:15am – 12:45pm at the Wyvern Theatre.

The company creates original performances based on issues that have affected their lives, including family breakdown, domestic violence, homophobia, homelessness, emotions, and resilience. For the past 10 years, Partners Theatre Company have toured Wiltshire performing their chosen theme to the general public, as well as going into local Special Educational Needs (SEN) Schools to perform, often achieving audiences of over a thousand people. Due to the nature of their audience, the performance themes are produced in collaboration with Personal Social Health and Economic (PSHE) co-ordinators, to ensure that it’s focused around topics that are age appropriate for young people aged 11-18.

Partners Theatre Company takes part in the annual youth theatre performance called “Making it Art”, coordinated by Reach Inclusive Arts (RIA), and aimed at young people with additional needs in the transition phase to adulthood. In collaboration with SEN schools in Swindon, the chosen theme explores young people’s experiences, as well as their aspirations and hopes for the future. Each school performs at the Wyvern Theatre and attracts a good-sized audience. The event is supported by volunteers, including those from the local business community as well as local dignitaries.

Other annual events that gives Partners Theatre Company members the opportunity to perform include: The “Big Hat Cabaret”, an evening ticketed event where participants from the company can join other performing arts groups in an evening of celebration and performance in the form of acting, singing and dancing. Partners Theatre Company also have the chance to take part in a performance at RIA Annual General Meeting (AGM), where they can showcase the work that has taken place throughout the year. All events are uplifting and empowering, and are an important way to recognise the opportunities that RIA provides for people in the local community.


The Art Group

The Art Group is aimed at adults with learning and physical disabilities, mental health issues, sensory impairments, and social anxiety. Members of The Art Group are able to explore different artistic styles including painting, sketching, pottery, collage creation, and jewellery making, taught by professional artists. The Art Group takes place weekly on a Tuesday from 10:30am – 12:30pm in the foyer of the Wyvern Theatre.

Members of The Art Group can flourish in a supportive environment, often trying new projects and artistic styles to help develop and hone their talent while having fun. A collaborative element in the form of shared art projects helps to develop members’ physical, social and cognitive skills, improving their quality of life which in turn, increases confidence and self-esteem.

The Art Group frequently exhibits their work in local community spaces, including at the RIA AGM, the Wyvern Theatre, The Swindon Hub community centre and most recently, as part of Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Art produced by The Art Group is also showcased by RIA more generally, across marketing and promotional materials including the logos for flagship events such as “Making it Art” and the “Big Hat Cabaret”, on theatre sets for Partners Theatre Company performances, and on social media.

The Art Group is a powerful and supportive community of people, whose work leaves a lasting sense of achievement for themselves and for RIA overall.