Folio Theatre
Folio Theatre works across Wiltshire with a range of communities and groups. It aims to increase access to and engagement with, high quality theatre and creative activities. The charity runs specific projects including engagement programmes with rurally isolated older people, and provides mentoring and support to young carers who wish to develop careers in the arts.
The request to the Allen Lane Foundation was for funding towards a partnership project that Folio Theatre runs with The Harbour Project, a refugee and asylum seeker charity in Swindon. Specifically, it works with the women’s group at the charity. The project offers creative and engaging arts activities for the group to enjoy as a shared experience. Over the coming year, more than 60 refugee and asylum seeking women are expected to benefit from sessions. The development of the project is co-designed with a core group, and as sessions evolve, the women will create material that lead onto performances and productions. A grant of £8,162 was made in October 2025 towards a shortfall in the project budget. Anticipated outcomes of the work are that the women taking part will have increased confidence, wellbeing and skills; they will feel more empowered; and that the project brings people together and helps change attitudes to people seeking sanctuary.
