The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster

The 3R Foundation recently awarded £300 towards materials for six custom wooden boxes, which were made by Lancaster Men’s Hub for a creative community project led by The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster.

The Dukes has long been a cultural hub at the heart of Lancaster and the wider Lancashire community. Since 1971 it has engaged audiences through theatre, cinema, comedy and music, while also providing creative opportunities for local people including young carers, refugees, older adults and people with disabilities. It is the only professionally producing theatre in Lancashire and the oldest cinema in the county.

The grant supported “The Box”, a collaborative arts project bringing together groups including Barnardo’s Young Carers, Lancaster RAIS, members of The Dukes Prime Time group for over 65s, young people of traveller heritage, adults of Roma heritage and young people with disabilities from Unique Kidz and Co.

Before applying, The Dukes contacted the 3R Foundation to check the feasibility of the grant. During these discussions the Foundation suggested that Lancaster Men’s Hub could make the boxes, creating a great example of collaborative working between local organisations.

Each group used one of the wooden boxes as the starting point for their creative work, exploring its contents and developing an artistic response around a shared theme. The completed work was brought together and shared publicly at The Dukes, celebrating diversity and community connection.

The boxes were built to be durable and reusable so they can be used year after year as new groups take part.

The 3R Foundation funds grants like this through the Recycle, Reuse, Rehome charity shop in Carnforth (next to Tesco). With a large number of grant applications coming in recently, continued support from the local community is more important than ever.

Every purchase in the shop helps raise the funds that go straight back out as grants to support local charities, clubs and community groups. If you are nearby, please call in and support the shop so we can continue helping even more organisations across our area.