All Aboard…
In February 2021 we embarked on our second inclusive online project, thanks to the amazing support from Arts Council England. Now fully adjusted to the new digital delivery and better acquainted with language that was previously very new to us. You’re on mute…my internet is unstable…two metres! You may think that removing lengthy commutes (for me an 88 mile round trip) and having the luxury of working from home, would make our workloads easier?! The reality was quite different. Online inclusive performing arts workshops require far more detailed creative planning, solo arts delivery, adapting to the challenges members face with technology, support and access and working with very different ways of connecting, sometimes creating what we now refer to as, online fatigue!
Right Where We Are - July 2021
But here’s the thing. When you love your job, take huge amounts of pride in the work you deliver, get a buzz when the artistic content pulls together to arrive at the long awaited ‘end goal’ and get to see people reaching their goals every week, you really don’t think about any of the external factors. Mainly because you’re absorbed in it, in that moment. At TramShed whether we are all in one room, or joining together with our own ‘Zoom’ room, there has always been one main focus we strive for, whatever the circumstances. INCLUSION.
In the last 6 months we have delivered 130 weekly online workshops, created 10 scripts (one of which was for a cast of 31 people), 9 podcasts, bespoke doorstep photography of our membership, re branded the logo, extended training for the staff and volunteers, shared some inspirational personal stories with weekly blogging and staged two amazing live performances!
On Wednesday 14th July, I was going about my morning accounting tasks and was reminded by a post on Twitter that the National Diversity Awards were announcing the shortlist for the big finals evening in February 2022. As a nominated charity, having received some heart felt testimonials and votes, I had been long awaiting the results with great anticipation. There were 126 nominees across the various categories and a staggering 52,000 votes had been cast. So many worthy organisations in the mix, delivering brilliant work to their communities. It was lovely to see the wonderful shortlist unfold on the Twitter feed…..then a ping on my mobile telephone. (A TWITTER PING)! It can’t be, we haven’t, oh my goodness, REALLY!!!! TramShed had made it to the honored shortlist for Community Organisation (Multi-Strand). After I picked myself up off the floor and then stopped making my Wife dance around the office, I began sharing the news with my team, who quite honestly could not be more deserving of that place in the final. We now excitedly await the grand event in Liverpool next year and couldn’t have wished for a better to way to end the term.
The twists and turns of COVID-19 have meant that sadly, face to face workshops have not yet been possible. This has been so very hard for our members, many of which are isolated and longing to be back in the TramShed family fold. I know they are excitedly awaiting September, as this is our scheduled phased return…finally! So, as we move into this next phase, I think now is the time to stop wearing day pajamas and dust off ‘Bob the Weasel’ (TramShed mascot……long story)!
Whatever the next few months bring for TramShed (after a much-needed holiday), I know this… The future is exciting and full of opportunities for all our members, volunteers and artistic staff. TramShed haven’t just survived the pandemic, we have thrived and taken inclusive theatre to the next level, at a time that could have seen us needing to close our doors forever. So, whose with me…all aboard the ‘Tram’.
#apartofbeingapart
Zac Hackett
Artistic Director