“FAILURE to learn from the past means that new initiatives for engaging young people with the arts look ‘remarkably similar to what has gone before,” according to a recent Government enquiry, claiming that there is still an engagement gap with very young children being introduced to the arts.

As a nationally touring theatre company, and frequent visitor to York, Oddsocks Productions has been focusing on engaging young children and their families from disadvantaged backgrounds during our tour of Wind In The Willows.

We’ve been offering families that are supported by Home-Start a look at a theatre production. Home-Start is a national family support charity, which helps parents with at least one child under five build better lives for their families.

At the performance, each family receives a backstage tour, complimentary refreshments and merchandise and tickets to this classic British story, as well as meeting the cast. We’ve met 11 families and are delighted to have given more than 20 children what was for most their first theatre experience.

We are proud to have been working alongside Home-Start and it’s been wonderful to offer these families a treat and experience to share together.

Hope Ward-Brown, Young producer, Oddsocks Productions, Friar Gate Studios, Ford Street, Derby.