The below correspondence is posted here by kind permission from the Society of London Theatre
The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) is an organisation that works with and on behalf of their Members to champion theatre and the performing arts.
SOLT and UK Theatre’s office reopening
We are pleased to announce that our office at Rose Street will be undergoing a limited re-opening from 7 September. In the initial period, staffing levels will be restricted to a maximum of 50% on any day and meeting room capacities will be restricted in order to facilitate continued social distancing. In addition, a range of Covid protocols are being introduced to provide the safest environment for staff and visitors.
For now, most meetings will continue to be conducted virtually but we will update further as we look to move to in person or hybrid meetings. Please contact enquiries@soltukt.co.
Tomorrow’s Vaccine Q&A with the NHS: Tuesday 7 September 2021, 11am
A final reminder ahead of tomorrow’s free Q&A with the NHS, led by a London GP and organised by SOLT & UK Theatre to address concerns around the COVID-19 vaccine. The session will be open to all and available to join anonymously via this link on the day (no pre-registration required).
Please share this info and link with your company managers and any cast / company members & colleagues who may have concerns about the vaccine and might benefit from attending.
Questions can be submitted in advance of the webinar here.
Further resources to address vaccine hesitancy can be downloaded here.
Survey now open for all UK freelance parents and carers to complete
Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) are running a survey for Freelance Parents and Carers. Part of Fuel Theatre and The Mayor of London’s Creative Freelancers: Shaping London’s Recovery Project, this survey aims to identify the specific needs and challenges faced by freelance parents and carers in the performing arts industry. The information collected will be used to make recommendations for employers, create supportive information, resources and initiatives for parents and carers, and inform a central Freelancers Charter created as part of the wider Creative Freelancers: Shaping London’s Recovery project. The survey will close at 8am on 20th September 2021.
Action: please share this survey with any freelancers you are working with: Take the Survey
Rankin Live photography project – For SOLT Members
As part of our BackOnStage campaign, we have been working with renowned photographer Rankin, who wants to collaborate with us in October on an ambitious project called ‘Performance’, shooting on and offstage theatre workers from shows and venues across the London theatre industry, to celebrate the post-lockdown return of theatres, and the talent and resilience of our sector.
The project, in collaboration with FujiFilm House of Photography and with funding support from the Mayor of London, will be done as a ‘Rankin Live’, which means the shoots themselves will be captured on film and broadcast live, with media invited to watch. The results will be showcased in an exhibition at the House of Photography from November. Further details will be announced shortly and we will be contacting SOLT members and Affiliate shows and venues individually later this week, with full details and criteria for involvement.
Reminder: Vaccine Bus – For SOLT Members
Please remind your casts, company members and colleagues that this Saturday 11 September, we’ve organised for Westminster Council’s walk-in vaccine bus to be in Shaftesbury Avenue, with NHS staff offering 1st and 2nd doses of the Pfizer vaccine to anyone aged 16 and over – no appointment required.
Staff and volunteers will also be on board to answer any question about the vaccine, testing and Covid safety. Free Covid home testing kits are available from the bus.
Details of the Westminster vaccine bus locations can be found here.
USEFUL RESOURCES
Coronavirus Recovery Guidance
- Coronavirus Recovery Updates and Guidance – for SOLT Members
- Coronavirus Recovery Updates and Guidance – for UK Theatre Members
- Media Briefing Notes
- See It Safely Toolkit
- Working Safely During Coronavirus – Guidance
- Coronavirus Government Guidance Library
Wellbeing and mental health support for you and your staff
- Theatre Helpline
- TheatreSupport.Info
- Wellbeing resources webpage
- Mental health and wellbeing webinars (TheatreMeansBusiness.info)
Jobs & careers in the sector
- Industry jobs – UK Theatre & SOLT
- Inclusive Recruitment Guide