Studies (inc. RSA) have proven that arts education increases self-esteem, innovation & team-learning: all skills for educational attainment, improved work outcomes, & a positive impact on mental health. We know that there are many local London families who could not afford extra-curricular online activities during lockdown, and their children lost all access to arts education. For example, in the surrounding area 28% of pupils are on free school meals (whilst the national average is 15%).

Bursaries will provide free access to Central's Saturday Youth Theatre classes for up to 75 children (6–18 years) a year from low-income households in London. As a world leader in the application of theatre to improve lives and increase wellbeing, Central has an incomparable resource of knowledge to find and recruit children in real need, provide them with pastoral support, and include them in our conservatoire-standard drama classes with experienced tutors in our rehearsal spaces.