A brand-new, FREE youth theatre programme for 14–18 year olds in West Cheltenham
Experience performing in a professional venue! Build confidence, creativity, connection and have fun exploring physical theatre, ensemble work, voice and more.
No experience needed – open to everyone, all abilities welcome. Just bring your energy and enthusiasm!
FREE – fully funded thanks to our partners
When & Where Starts: April 13 2026 (two terms) Day & Time: Every Monday, 6:00pm – 8:00pm Location: Hesters Way Community Resource Centre, Cassin Drive, Cheltenham GL51 0BW
Highlights • Perform in a professional Cheltenham venue (optional showcase in June) • Build confidence, wellbeing and new friendships • Inclusive and welcoming environment • Led by experienced tutors (including Bristol Old Vic Theatre School graduate) • Part of West Cheltenham Arts (KAM Performing Arts Academy CIC)
Spaces are limited! Only 15 places available – register your interest now to avoid missing out.
To join or ask questions, email: westcheltenhamhamarts@gmail.com Please include your name, age, and a short note about why you’d like to take part.
Supported by: Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund West Cheltenham Arts (part of KAM Performing Arts Academy) Gloucestershire County Council West Cheltenham Hub No Child Left Behind
Making the arts accessible for everyone in West Cheltenham. Creativity is for everyone!
Free Community Choir at Springbank Community Resource Centre
Looking for a friendly, informal choir in West Cheltenham?
West Cheltenham Community Choir is a free, welcoming space for adults aged 18+ to come together, sing, and connect. No auditions. No pressure. No experience needed — just bring your voice.
Delivered at Springbank Community Resource Centre, this choir is all about community, confidence and the joy of singing together.
Who Is It For?
This choir is:
Open to anyone aged 18+
Free for residents of West Cheltenham
Perfect for beginners and experienced singers alike
Ideal if you want to boost confidence, wellbeing and meet new people
Whether you’ve sung in choirs before or only sing in the shower, you’ll feel right at home.
When & Where
Location: Springbank Community Resource Centre, West Cheltenham
Day: Wednesdays Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
2025 Dates
April 22, 29
May 13, 20, 27
June 3, 10, 17, 24
July 1
Spaces are limited, so booking is recommended.
Why Join a Community Choir?
Singing in a group can:
Improve mood and mental wellbeing
Reduce stress
Build confidence
Create lasting friendships
Strengthen community connections
Most importantly — it’s fun.
Delivered in Partnership
This project is delivered in partnership with Everyvoice Choirs (Everyman Theatre) and supported through funding from the CBC Community Pride Grant.
We are proud to be working alongside:
Everyman Theatre Cheltenham
West Cheltenham Arts
Cheltenham Borough Council
This initiative ensures high-quality musical leadership while keeping the sessions completely free and accessible to the local community.
Simply include your name and the dates you would like to attend.
Everyone Welcome
This is a relaxed, supportive environment where everyone is encouraged to take part at their own pace. There’s no judgement, no auditions and no expectation — just community and music.
If you’re based in West Cheltenham and looking for something uplifting to be part of, we’d love to welcome you.
A new creative writing group will offer local people a place to write and share ideas.
The group is launching at Hesters Way Community Resource Centre, facilitated by West Cheltenham Partnership, giving residents a welcoming space to build confidence, with no experience required.
The group will celebrate the power of stories to bring people together and give voice to local experiences.
Starting next Wednesday (February 4), to coincide with National Storytelling Week, the group will meet weekly from 1:30 to 2:30pm at West Cheltenham Hub, based at Hesters Way Community Resource Centre.
Sessions will follow a relaxed, inclusive format designed to suit writers of all abilities. Everyone is welcome, including those who may lack confidence in writing or for whom English is not a first language.
The idea for the group grew from a conversation at the recent University of Gloucestershire’s Creative Writing Festival, where Wendy Flynn, the group’s lead facilitator, spoke with Senja Andrejevic, course leader for English literature and creative writing.
The university has expressed enthusiasm for supporting creative outreach in communities such as Hesters Way, with discussions underway about potential input into workshop design and future collaborative sessions.
Initially, the group will run as informal weekly meet-ups, with light structure available for those who want it. Sessions may include writing prompts, short exercises, word sprints and opportunities to share work. Those who prefer to go along and write independently are equally welcome.
Maria Allebone and Wendy Flynn
The group will be led by Wendy Flynn, a local writer with a BA in creative writing. Wendy will draw on a wide range of books, resources and writing approaches, keeping sessions friendly, accessible and free from academic pressure.
Wendy Flynn said: “Stories belong to everyone, and this group is about giving people the space to discover their voice in a way that feels safe, relaxed and enjoyable. You don’t need experience, perfect grammar or a big idea — just curiosity and a willingness to have a go.
“Launching during National Storytelling Week feels exactly right, because every person who walks through the door brings a story worth telling. I’m excited to help people explore that, whether they want to write for fun, for confidence or simply for themselves.”
Maria Allebone, West Cheltenham Partnership community development worker, said: “This group is about creating a welcoming, supportive space where people feel comfortable expressing themselves, whether they’ve been writing for years or are picking up a pen for the first time.
“It’s part of our wider aim to help West Cheltenham grow into a strong, thriving community, by working alongside local people and organisations to help everyone feel more connected, confident and supported.”
As the group grows and participants gain confidence, there are plans to introduce monthly themed workshops, such as poetry, autobiography or writing for children.
Above all, the group aims to be inclusive, supportive and rooted in the local community, reflecting the interests, experiences and educational backgrounds of people in West Cheltenham.
Residents are encouraged to attend the first session on Wednesday, February 4 at West Cheltenham Hub, Hesters Way Community Resource Centre, Cassin Drive, Cheltenham, GL51 7SU. Contact maria@hwpartnership.org.uk for more information.
