The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster

The 3R Foundation recently awarded £1,000 to The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster towards the installation of a hearing loop system in its main Rake theatre.

The Dukes is a vital cultural hub at the heart of Lancaster and the wider North Lancashire and South Cumbria community. Engaging audiences since 1971, it offers a diverse programme of theatre, cinema, comedy and music, alongside creative opportunities for young people, older adults and schools. It is the only producing theatre in Lancashire and the county’s oldest cinema. In the 2023–24 season alone, more than 70,000 people attended performances or participated in community programmes.

As a registered charity, The Dukes relies on community and grant support to ensure its facilities remain welcoming and accessible to all. The grant contributed towards the installation of a Sennheiser Mobile Connect WiFi-based hearing loop system in the 310-seat Rake theatre. Nationally, over 25% of the population experiences some form of hearing loss, rising to around 50% of those over 70. Improving audio accessibility is therefore key to ensuring audiences can fully enjoy performances, film screenings and events.

The new system allows up to 100 audience members to connect via their own devices and offers two audio channels — one for a traditional hearing loop and another for audio description. It can also integrate with live captioning apps, helping to make performances more inclusive and enhancing the overall visitor experience.

This funding supports The Dukes’ ongoing commitment to accessibility, inclusion and high-quality arts provision for the local community.

If you know of a local charity, club or community group looking for funding for a project or equipment, the 3R Foundation may be able to help.

Apply easily online: