Looping the Loop Youth Theatre in Thanet

The environment

Our project has helped the overall enviroment of Thanet by helping young people to feel valued and more able to become citizens in control of their lives. They are empowered to understand what they need, they are more able to care about others. They are more able to make good decisions and have good intentions for the world around them.

The local economy

Direct Economic Impact: Direct Employment: Six local freelance artists were directly employed, providing them with significant income and work opportunities within the creative sector. This directly injected funds into the local economy by supporting individual livelihoods. Indirect Economic Impact through Local Business Engagement: Venue Hire: Four venues in Margate were utilized for rehearsals and performances, generating revenue for these establishments and supporting their operations. Local Suppliers: The project actively engaged various local businesses, ensuring that funds circulated within the community: Local printers were used for marketing materials, providing business for a local printing service. Local restaurants were utilized for meals, supporting the local hospitality sector. Local shops were used to purchase props, costumes, and other necessities, injecting funds into local retail businesses. These engagements, while not direct employment by the project itself, represent a clear economic benefit to local businesses and indirectly supported the jobs within them, contributing to the overall economic vitality of the area.

Volunteering, jobs & education

While this project didn't directly focus on increasing volunteering, jobs, or education as its primary objective, it demonstrably contributed to all three areas within the local community. Impact on Employment (Jobs): Direct Employment of Freelance Artists: The project directly employed 6 local freelance artists. This provided significant income and work opportunities for individuals within the creative sector, contributing to the local economy. Impact on Volunteering: Long-Term Volunteer Engagement: The project secured 1 long-term volunteer who was part of the main team for a year. This indicates a sustained commitment to fostering volunteerism and providing a meaningful experience for an individual. Short-Term Volunteer Engagement: Additionally, 3 volunteers participated in short-term projects, demonstrating the project's ability to attract and utilize volunteer support for specific needs, potentially introducing new individuals to the benefits of volunteering. Impact on Education: Skills Development for Children: 74 children were given new skills in communication and creativity. This is a direct educational outcome, providing valuable soft skills that are transferable and beneficial for their development, both academically and personally. School Re-engagement: The most significant educational impact highlighted is at least one school returner after attending the project. This demonstrates the project's potential to re-engage individuals who may have been disengaged from formal education, providing a pathway back to learning. This is a powerful testament to the project's ability to address educational barriers.

Arts, culture & heritage

Looping the Loop exists to bring arts and culture to all corners of Thanet. We aim to involve those that wish, directly, in our work, whilst others take part by watching and enjoying a performance or workshop. In this project we have enabled young people to find confidence and well-being by sharing with other young people, gaining more focus and joining in joint activities, having the freedom to be themselves and to have the leaders understanding that each person is an individual. We have helped them to learn about theatre, to use their voices, to perform in front of others and most importantly to work together with other children to make a play, a game or a scene. Theatre is a collaborative art-form and our young Thanet Youth Theatre members have learned how to collaborate and support each other.

Activity, health and leisure

We made an impact on the health and leisure of the young people taking part and for the parents and siblings of the Thanet Youth Theatre members. Everyone undoubtedly grew in confidence and in their well-being.