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.
Guidance updates – Wales and Scotland
Both Welsh and Scottish guidance changed last week to reflect the easing of restrictions, and members should check the relevant document for the latest information:
Click here to read the Welsh guidance
Click here to read the Scottish guidance
UK Theatre’s Business Plan 2021-22
UK Theatre’s Business Plan 2021-22 is published today. Our aims – to support the sector in being relevant, resilient, proactive and innovative – are as important now as ever. We are dedicated to helping the industry rebuild, and this commitment underpins all our work over the next 12 months. Read the Business Plan here.
SOLT and UK Theatre initiatives for improving diversity and inclusion within UK theatres
We have published a report which sets out the work SOLT and UK Theatre have been doing to improve representation within the performing arts sector. With the protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act 2010 as a starting point, this work has targeted many currently under-represented demographics, including people from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities, d/Deaf and disabled communities, and people from low socio-economic backgrounds. These projects are part of an ongoing process and progress is under constant review. Download the report.
Do you manage your Apprenticeships or lead on your company’s recruitment?
We are bringing together a group of members to form UK Theatre and SOLT’s response to this important government consultation on flexible apprenticeships. This follows previous work we have done with the DfE and wider creative industries on possible changes to the apprenticeships.
On Monday (24 May, 11.30-12.00), our Advocacy Manager Hannah Gagen and the ROH’s Mark Heholt will do a 30-minute webinar. The session will cover the background to the consultation, the main points to think about (including possible impact on employers and apprentices) and what we have asked government for to date. This exercise will be helpful for both your solo responses (if you do one) and the UK Theatre / SOLT response.
Please email Hannah if you would like to be part of this group and attend Monday’s session.
UK theatres revealed to save the NHS £102m a year
Today we released statistics showing that theatres generate an annual cost saving to the NHS of £102,234,585, by helping benefit the physical and mental health of those in their surrounding communities. The new stat comes during Creativity and Wellbeing Week, and highlights the importance of theatre and the arts in improving physical and mental wellbeing – something that is being increasingly recognised worldwide, including by the World Health Organisation and the UK Department of Health & Social Care.
You can read the press release here.
Recordings now available of our mental health and wellbeing webinars
Our webinar on ‘Managing Teams Through Complex & Rapid Change’ presented by Auriel Majumdar is now available as a captioned recording (scroll down to the bottom of the page to view the recording).
‘As a result of this webinar I will be more cognisant to my own and my team’s needs.’
The final live webinar in our ongoing series promoting mental health and wellbeing, Staying Resilient in Uncertain Times with Lillie Stoute will take place on Monday 24 May.
Tickets are free for freelancers and anyone unemployed, £5 for UK Theatre & SOLT Members, and £10 for non-members. Members of other industry bodies can save 50% off the non-member price – use the promo code INDUSTRYWELL for £5 tickets.
Further recordings of webinars in this series can be found on TheatreMeansBusiness.info, email events@soltukt.co.uk with any queries.
Theatres: Using Enterprise Risk Management to get ready to return to work – Tuesday 1 June, 2.00pm
Hosted by SOLT & UK Theatre in association with Tysers presented by Ecclesiastical providing an exclusive insurance facility for UK Theatre Members.
This webinar will look at the current and evolving risk landscape in the theatre world and will outline how Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) can help. Ecclesiastical will cover what ERM is, how this is different to taking a traditional risk management approach and the associated benefits. Supporting tools and templates will be made available for you to use. Ecclesiastical will also cover how to look further into the future by adopting a horizon scanning approach to managing strategic risks.
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