Hattie Naylor is a multi-award-winning British playwright, her work has been performed and published nationally and internationally and she is clearly excited to represent The Hive in this way. “They do such important and essential work, especially at a time when the current education system provides less and less opportunity for children and young people to explore their creative interests. Culture is so important and having heard about all the fantastic and often free projects that The Hive offer to support the wellbeing and creativity in their community, I knew that I had to get involved with them somehow.”

CEO Katie Jennings welcomes Hattie’s support: “Hattie has joined our The Hive family at a crucial time. The Arts are facing a really challenging time now and being associated with someone of Hattie’s obvious talent and calibre as well as Charlie, only helps us to reach new audiences and spread our message.” She added “We recently launched a fundraising campaign, High Five The Hive as a way to raise funds and awareness of all that The Hive offers. It is very exciting for us to have Hattie on board.”

The Hive was established at 5 Belmont in 2008. Its mission was to support the wellbeing of children and young people in Shropshire. As an arts charity The Hive relies on funding to continue to deliver these essential wellbeing projects to a growing young community. Impressively, The Hive managed to continue delivering projects and activities throughout the pandemic providing a lifeline to participants who had come to rely on these sessions. The Hive is also well known for delivering a number of street festivals through the years, which alongside other events have been free for the public to attend.

Fellow Hive Patron Charlie Adlard, who joined in 2018, reflects on The Hive’s presence in the town: “The Hive is a charity that has always been about serving its community. Free events like their Open Days and Street Festivals mean that everyone is welcome, and the team are constantly thinking about new and exciting ways in which to engage with their community and specifically those most in need, but now the charity also needs their community, so they can keep doing the amazing work they do”. He added “If you’ve ever been to a Hive workshop, gig, or street festival, or simply popped in to see what exhibition is in their gallery, or the charity’s aim to transform the lives through creativity really resonates with you, please consider sending The Hive a ‘High Five’ today and donating £5.”

If you wish to donate to The Hive there are several ways you can do this! Come to the venue and deposit your donation in one of their charity boxes, add a donation at the point of booking for an event via The Hive’s website www.hiveonline.org.uk or press the donate button on their homepage to donate via Just Giving.

If you would like to fundraise for The Hive, please contact Marketing and Communications Manager, Vicki Duckett-Snape: vicki@hiveonline.org.uk , for further information and support.
Hattie will also be hosting a Revolution Grooves Christmas Party at The Hive on Saturday 16th December. Those who have attended Revolution Grooves nights will know that the dance floor will become a utopian space organised around friendship, community, comfort, intimacy, inclusivity, equality, Soul, Funk, Disco, House, Reggae and Global beats by the people for the people. Come and join the party! This highly popular event is usually free, but organisers have generously decided to donate all proceeds to The Hive. Tickets costing £5 are available to purchase via The Hive's website: www.hiveonline.org.uk/whats-on/revolution- groove