The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
Registered Charity Number: 209302
About the Charity
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is the independent charity that cares for the Shakespeare family homes in Stratford-upon-Avon, and promotes the enjoyment and understanding of his works, life and times all over the world.
What our grant will help to fund
The project aims to open disadvantaged young people to the language and imagination of Shakespeare, through the medium of a colourful version of the First Folio for Children, developed in partnership between the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and Walker Book. The book uses Shakespeare’s original language, shortened, and adapted specifically for children to read and perform, with 10,000 free copies distributed to schools and libraries nationally.
Using funding from The Benefact Group we will develop inspirational performance opportunities for children using the new Children’s Folio; and sustainable CPD and resources for teachers and librarians to embed new skills and extend the impact of the project for the future.
The project is an exciting new idea which utilises SBT’s ‘Shakespeare Week’, a national programme which reaches 2,000 000 participants live and online, and which celebrates its own high profile 10th birthday in 2024.
“Thanks to the generous support of the Benefact Group we will be able to bring Shakespeare ‘off the page’ for children in a unique way. By developing our new teaching resources that support the Children’s Folio, we will help teachers to make the wonderful language of Shakespeare accessible in the classroom, without dumbing down. The funding will also help us develop Oracy skills by offering children from all background the opportunities to make special memories whilst performing stunning settings across the country as part of our annual Shakespeare Week celebration, creating lasting bonds with Shakespeare and his works.”
Andy Reeves, Head of Learning Development, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
