About the Project

Red Rose Chain Community Theatre Company, ACT will premiere their new movie, PAULA on 4th February at The Avenue Theatre, Ipswich.

The film, which was made with a grant from Leading Lives, has been developed from a play commissioned in 2019 by The Suffolk Adult Safeguarding Board. It explores the mental health pressures faced by vulnerable adults living independently. The story is powerful and insightful:

“Such an amazing piece and so thought provoking, helping focus everyone on what we need to do to make a real difference in Suffolk” – Andrea O’Connell, Transformation Programme Lead, Safeguarding Adult, Ipswich & East Suffolk CCG

It is hoped that the film will be used to raise awareness of the issues with professionals, carers and the wider public.

National Lottery Community Fund

This premiere comes at a very exciting time for Red Rose Chain, who have recently been told that they have received a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, to support their programme of Community work at The Avenue Theatre. The grant consists of £176,000 over four years, meaning our community work will benefit immensely from this funding.

The National Lottery funding will sustain the programme of work while expanding its reach, with additional groups for younger children with disabilities and from economically deprived wards.

 “We are delighted with this news from the National Lottery Community Fund. It is a real boost for all of our participants and a real testament to the great impact of the work which films like PAULA can create. We are very excited about the future.” – Joanna Carrick, Red Rose Chain’s Artistic Director

ACT – Community Programme

This ground-breaking programme provides free professional theatre training and volunteering opportunities to hundreds of young people and vulnerable adults, many of whom have disabilities, mental health diagnosis and are economically deprived. The company’s ethos is one where all individuals are valued for their creative potential and participants work alongside professionals as equals in a nurturing environment:

“I am lucky enough to be involved in one of the activities organised by Red Rose Chain for vulnerable people of all ages. I cannot praise the company highly enough. No-one is turned away, and as a support worker of one of the members of the group, I have seen first-hand how the quiet, nervous, self-conscious, and sometimes overpowering individuals, become confident, happy, funny participants in the supportive group that has now become our ‘family’.” – Participant Support Worker

The Premiere

Venue
The Avenue Theatre, Gippeswyk Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 9AF

Date & Time
Premiere – 4th February 2020, 6pm-7pm

Film Duration: Approx. 20 mins, with a Q&A with the Director and cast afterwards.

Want to come along? 

Contact katy@redrosechain.com to find out more.