Better Start
Blackpool Better Start is a multi-agency partnership in Blackpool between the NSPCC, Blackpool Council, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Blackpool Integrated Care Board, communities and VCSFE organisations.
We work together with families to improve the outcomes of our children pre-birth to age 0 – 4, ensuring that families are empowered to support their child’s development and provided with the right support when they need it.
Blackpool Grand Theatre
Blackpool Grand Theatre is dedicated to being a nationally recognized local resource, committed to inspiring a life- long love of [the] theatre. We use our rich and varied artistic programme and heritage assets as tools to power participation, learning, resilience, and positive experiences.
We are an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organization and partner theatre of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Our unique multi-awarding winning Story Led Resilience Programmed won the UK Theatre Award for Excellence in Arts Education and helps make the stories presented on our stage more accessible, developing new and diverse audiences, more reflective of the communities of Blackpool.
This work has been commissioned by Children’s Theatre Partnership, PW Productions and Royal Opera House, amongst others. Our work with Blackpool’s most vulnerable communities, in particular children and young people, is currently supported by Goldsmiths’ Company Charity Blackpool Council, the Backstage Trust , and previously by repeat awards from the Esmee Fairbairn and Ragdoll Foundations.
Better Start
Clare is the Director of Better Start and leads its ground-breaking programmes in Blackpool. She works with leading academics and experts to improve outcomes for children and families. After refining Better Start’s approach in Blackpool, she is now broadening its focus to the national stage and helping other organisations with improving outcomes for children and families in other areas of the UK.
Annette is the Strategic Services Manager at Better Start. She oversees its business functions and is passionate about gathering evidence and learning which can be used by the partnership to demonstrate its impact for children and families, which can then support the development of similar approaches across the country.
Vicki is the senior development manager at Better Start. She leads the development of its evaluation services, heading up a team of development managers who support outcomes for families with children in the early years. Vicki is an experienced leader with a highly skilled team, all of whom work passionately towards improving the prospects of vulnerable children.
Blackpool Grand Theatre
Celine is the Head of Creative Development & Learning, Blackpool Grand Theatre. She was Blackpool's first Schools Cultural Development Officer and established Blackpool Grand's award-winning Education department. Celine developed the multi-award-winning Story-Led Resilience Programme and leads the Children's Theatre Partnership. She initiated Blackpool Grand Theatre’s partnership with the (RSC)Royal Shakespeare Company and is an RSA Fellow.
Ruth is the Community Programmes Manager at Blackpool Grand Theatre. With extensive experience in health and social care, she has supported vulnerable individuals across Blackpool. Ruth now works with community groups and champions equality, diversity, and inclusion at the theatre.
Jo Cleasby is the Cultural Education Manager at Blackpool Grand Theatre. She has worked for over 25 years as a cultural education producer and practitioner. Her passion is making the arts and creative opportunities accessible for all, so that everyone can have opportunities to learn, play and perform. Working in partnership with The Royal Shakespeare Company has enabled Jo to facilitate opportunities for children of all ages, adult artists and teachers across Blackpool and beyond.