The William Syson Foundation

The William Syson Foundation is a Scottish based charity specialising in the support of theatre making and creative practice. We have been delighted to partner with the foundation for almost a decade on a range of creative projects. Our partnership with the foundation illustrates the lasting impact a committed funder can have on a programme of work, offering us the stability to take creative risks, expand our work to those who will benefit the most from it and look to future development.

A group of schoolchildren holding up signs that say

Originally the William Syson Foundation came on board as a funder providing access costs for children to attend Christmas shows. The foundation then went on to give funds in support of our Saturday Citizens and Friday Club groups which provide access to theatre and creative programming for neurodivergent children and adults.

A group of learning disabled young people sit on chairs and on the floor. In focus, a young man in a purple Saturday Citizens listens to an instructor speak.

A group of learning disabled adults standing together and smiling and posing for the camera. They are all wearing colourful hats and oversized theatrical props.

We cannot overstate the importance of this funding in delivering joy, friendship, confidence and an artistic outlet to groups who would otherwise be unable to access these creative opportunities. In 2023, we entered into an agreement with the Syson foundation for multi-year funding that will radically bolster our Participation team’s programme.