Side By Side Theatre Company Stourbridge
Charity 1202841
Overview
Summary
Side By Side Theatre Company Stourbridge appears to use participatory performing arts as both an inclusion service and a public-facing platform for adults with learning disabilities. Its model combines regular creative development, social connection and performance, suggesting that artistic practice is not incidental but the route through which confidence, visibility and participation are built. A dedicated rehearsal venue may give the organisation a stable local base while performances across the UK extend its influence beyond Stourbridge.
Operational geography
Coverage: Regional
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- Direct evidence from the Charity Commission identifies Birmingham City as one of the local-authority areas in which the charity operates. However, it does not identify a Birmingham venue, service, partner, ward or recognised place.
- The organisation's current website gives detailed evidence that its regular classes, rehearsals, open days and main annual production are centred in Stourbridge, outside Birmingham. It provides no current Birmingham delivery address or event listing.
- The website states that the company performs at locations across the UK, but does not specify current or recent Birmingham performances. This is insufficient to assign activity to any supplied Birmingham ward or to City Centre.
- No material Birmingham partnership extending the organisation's operational reach was identified in the consulted official sources.
- The regional coverage classification is a reasonable interpretation of the Charity Commission's reported operating areas—Birmingham City, Dudley, Sandwell, Shropshire and Worcestershire—rather than evidence that the charity delivers routine services throughout each of those areas.
Additional evidence needed
- A current programme, annual report or impact report naming Birmingham venues, projects or regular service locations.
- Confirmation from the organisation of whether Birmingham City reflects participant catchment, occasional performances, commissioned delivery or ongoing services.
- Details of any current Birmingham-based delivery partners and the locations or wards in which joint activity takes place.
Areas of work
- Arts/culture/heritage/science
- Disability
- Education/training
Who they help
- People With Disabilities
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Arts practice appears to be the organisation's mechanism for inclusion
The available evidence suggests that Side By Side treats theatre training and performance as means of personal development, social participation and disability inclusion, rather than as arts provision alone.
Why it matters
This clarifies its role at the intersection of culture, disability support and community connection. Potential partners may overlook it if they view it only as a theatre company or only as a support service.
Show evidence
“We give adults with learning disabilities the confidence to express their individuality.”
Source:Organisation“Our team work to provide training in the performing arts, as we build confidence, self-esteem and personal development, while providing a social setting which promotes friendship building.”
Source:Organisation“The charity provides performing arts based activities, workshops and classes and performance opportunities for people with physical and/or learning disabilities.”
Source:Charity Commission
Public performance may be a deliberate form of advocacy
Performance opportunities appear to serve two audiences: participants developing their skills and wider publics encountering the contribution of people with disabilities in the performing arts.
Why it matters
This indicates that the organisation may create cultural visibility as well as direct benefit. Its public events could therefore be valuable connection points for disability advocacy, arts venues and community audiences.
Show evidence
“The charity aims to raise public awareness of the participation and contribution of people with physical and/or learning difficulties in the performing arts.”
Source:Charity Commission“Performing at locations across the UK.”
Source:Organisation
A local creative base may support a wider geographic role
The SideSpace appears to provide a stable Stourbridge base for rehearsal and participation, while the company's performances extend beyond its immediate locality.
Why it matters
This combination may make the organisation both locally embedded and externally connected: a potential bridge between local disability communities and wider arts networks.
Show evidence
“Based in Stourbridge, rehearsing at The SideSpace in Stourbridge, and performing at locations across the UK.”
Source:Organisation“The charity provides buildings, facilities or open space.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Whether people with physical disabilities participate alongside adults with learning disabilities in current activity.
- How many participants, volunteers and performances the organisation supports, and who it reaches beyond Stourbridge.
- Which venues, disability organisations, funders or community groups form its active network.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports or impact information showing participant outcomes, numbers and geographic reach.
- Information on performance partners, referral routes, volunteer roles and local collaborations.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
Charity objects
TO RELIEVE THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL AND/OR LEARNING DISABILITIES, PRIMARILY BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH: A. PROVIDING PERFORMING ARTS BASED ACTIVITIES, WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES IN DRAMA, DANCE, MIME, PHYSICAL THEATRE, PUPPETRY, DIGITAL MEDIA, COSTUME, SET DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION; B. THROUGH PROVIDING PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES; C. RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE PARTICIPATION AND CONTRIBUTION OF PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL AND/OR LEARNING DIFFICULTIES IN THE PERFORMING ARTS.