August Highlights from the Octagon’s Arts Engagement & Outreach Team

Here’s a taste of what our Arts Engagement & Outreach team at The Octagon & Westlands have been busy working on this month…   Our Arts Engagement & Outreach team develop and deliver programmes and activities that benefit health and wellbeing, enrich learning and education in and outside school, inspire and celebrate talent. Creating work that will support local artists and tell “local stories”. In everything we do and programme we will seek to improve inclusion and remove barriers, whatever they may be, so that everyone is able to enjoy and benefit from the creative arts. Our Arts Engagement & Outreach team look to provide more opportunities for our communities to watch, take part and benefit from arts and cultural activities where they live.    

This August we engaged more than 5,659 young people and their families in creative activities across Somerset, delivering 98 hours of activities and employing 28 local practitioners and creatives. Plus we received shows from 4 outdoor touring theatre companies entertaining family audiences across the county.  

August’s highlight was the four summer PlayDay events staged in community parks within Yeovil, Chard, Wincanton and Langport where more than 5,500 people joined us for a vibrant mix of circus skills, music-making workshops, creative craft activities, face painting and live theatre performances. 

Read all about it and more below… 

Productions & Events  

Staging events in the heart of communities across Somerset 

This August, for the third consecutive summer, the Arts Engagement & Outreach Team successfully delivered four vibrant PlayDays across Somerset, visiting Yeovil, Chard, Wincanton, and Langport. These free family-friendly events welcomed over 5,500 attendees, including children, young people and their families, offering hands-on creative experiences and live theatre during the school holidays. 

We are delighted this year's PlayDays attracted an estimated 5,505 attendees, an increase of 1,005 people (22.3%) on last year's estimated attendance of 4,500, demonstrating the growing popularity and impact of the programme. 

Beyond the numbers, one of the most rewarding aspects of PlayDays was seeing children and families enjoying time together through creative play. The laughter, excitement and sense of curiosity evident across all four events highlighted the positive impact that arts and play can have on wellbeing, confidence and social connection, while creating lasting memories during the summer holidays. 

Each location featured a unique professional theatre performance, bringing creativity, imagination and excitement to local communities. Audiences in Yeovil enjoyed Blockbuster by Cat & Mouse Theatre; Wincanton welcomed The Herd Theatre with Essential Playworks; Langport enjoyed Stand & Deliver by Cat & Mouse Theatre; and Chard was entertained by Disorder of Knights from Tit for Tat Circus Co. Through a blend of music, circus skills, comedy, audience interaction and storytelling, these performances inspired audiences of all ages, with many children experiencing live theatre for the very first time. 

Working in collaboration with talented local creative practitioners, participants explored a wide range of artistic activities, including air-dry clay modelling, willow weaving, bookmaking, circus skills and music workshops. These creative experiences encouraged participants to unleash their imagination, develop new skills and connect with the arts. 

We were also delighted to work alongside a wide range of community partners and organisations, including South West Heritage Trust, Somerset Libraries, Young Somerset, Freedom Leisure, Avon and Somerset Police, Abri, LiveWest, RSPCA, Ark at Egwood, Somerset Art Works, Somerset Film, Langport & Huish Episcopi Youth Group, Balsam Centre, Yeovil Town Council, Chard Community Hub, and Yeovil Art Space. Their support helped ensure that people of all ages could participate in high-quality creative experiences within their local communities. 

‘These events are important because it’s so difficult to get the kids out somewhere fun without costing an arm and a leg! Plus, it’s fun to enjoy doing something different and use our wonderful spaces.’ Parent 

‘Keeps kids off screens and playing outdoors is so important for mental health.’ Partner organisation 

Participation 

Supporting young people during the summer 

This summer, 124 young people participated in our holiday activities at Westlands Entertainment Venue. Where we staged two week-long summer schools in Musical Theatre and Theatre & Acting, plus held two one-day productions with Dance in a Day and our ever-popular Play in a Day, with participants performing to family and friends at the end of the week or day. Together, these activities provided more than 2,000 hours of creative participation, giving young people aged 7 to 16 the opportunity to spend their summer singing, dancing and acting together. 

Thanks to Happy Healthy Holidays Somerset fund, 77 young people in receipt of Free School Meals were supported to attend free of charge, providing much-needed support to families during the six-week summer break. We are also proud of our commitment to making all activities inclusive. Alongside our creative practitioners, we employ dedicated SEN support staff to ensure that every participant feels welcomed, supported and able to take part fully. This summer, 29% of attendees identified as having additional SEND needs, and feedback demonstrated the positive impact of this approach. 

"All the people here are amazing. I felt very included!" Participant 

"Today I have felt joyful, passionate and alive!" Participant 

Talent Development & Artist Support 

Championing local creatives 

For the second-year running, we were delighted to work alongside local dancer and choreographer, James Bamford, and company, Project Dance, to offer local budding dancers the opportunity perform ahead of Project Dance’s main stage show, Things I've Never Said, in a curtain raiser performance.  

James and the Project Dance company worked with 19 local dancers, some of whom accessed the opportunity through Happy Healthy Holidays Somerset scheme, to create a powerful and emotional piece that opened the full-length show Things I've Never Said. Throughout the experience, participants gained an insight into the creative process behind producing professional dance work and experienced firsthand what it takes to bring a performance to the stage. As well as developing their dance skills and confidence, the project helped young people learn more about careers within the creative industries. For some, it opened their eyes to opportunities they had not previously considered, with one participant commenting: 

"I didn't know you could just go to a college to dance. I didn't know that was an option." Participant 

By connecting young people with professional artists and real-world creative pathways, the project inspired participants to see the arts not only as a hobby but also as a potential career pathway. 

The Octagon Theatre’s Arts Engagement & Outreach programme, as subsidised by Arts Council England and Somerset Council, seeks to support people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to unleash their creativity, unlock new interests and skills and be entertained across the region. With projects and activities that benefit health and wellbeing, enrich learning and education in and outside school that inspires and celebrates young talent. Choreographer James Bamford throughout his youth and career has received support from the team at the Octagon and Westlands, and proudly support Project Dance in the company’s next steps. 

Read more about James Bamford’s journey and the companies exciting next steps here: Yeovil-born dance production BUSK secures Arts Council funding for major national tour 

Access & Inclusion Schemes 

Creating access to arts and culture 

We are delighted to share since April 2026 more than 261 tickets have been purchased through our Accessible Ticket Scheme, helping individuals and families experience the joy, inspiration and connection that live performance can bring. Our Accessible Ticket Scheme offers £3 tickets, helping people of all ages attend shows at Westlands who may otherwise be unable to afford the opportunity. From comedy and music to ballet and community performances, the scheme offers a diverse range of experiences for audiences of all ages. Thanks to the Accessible Ticket Scheme, individuals and families can enjoy an exciting programme of live performances, including upcoming shows featuring Paul Zerdin, Lucy Beaumont, Judi Love and Adam Garcia's Emerald Storm, alongside many other entertaining productions.  

This August, 14 patrons accessed tickets through our Accessible Ticket Scheme to attend Project Dance presents: Things I've Never Said. Through breathtaking dance theatre and world-class original music, the production explored the secrets and unspoken thoughts we each carry, leaving audiences moved and inspired. The Accessible Ticket Scheme helps remove financial barriers to the arts, ensuring more people can access high-quality cultural experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. 

“Thanks to you and the Accessible Ticket Scheme. You have made it possible for me to bring my daughter to see the pantomime and Nutcracker — something I never thought I could do. Accessible Ticket Scheme Member 

For more information or to apply for the Accessible Ticket Scheme: westlandsyeovil.co.uk/discover-more/accessible-ticket-scheme/ 

Arts for Health & Wellbeing 

Providing vital support through the Summer months 

For the first time, our specialist Movement Through Cancer and Parkinson's Dance programmes continued throughout the summer months, providing vital year-round support for people living with cancer and Parkinson's. At a time when many community activities take a break, classes remained extremely well attended, helping participants stay active, connected and supported. The additional sessions enabled participants to maintain friendships, peer support networks and positive routines, reducing isolation and loneliness over the long summer weeks. Participants reported increased confidence, improved wellbeing and a continued sense of belonging, highlighting the importance of accessible Arts for Health & Wellbeing provision throughout the year. 

"These classes give me something to look forward to. The friendships I've made and the support from the group mean so much. Keeping the sessions going through the summer has made a real difference to me and my partner." Participant 

To keep up to date with all the activities coming up head over to the What’s On section on our website or check out our Take Part page which will link you to all our projects and upcoming opportunities.