News: Sunderland Empire launch Charity of the Year for 2018!

Sunderland Empire launch

Charity of the Year for 2018!

Sunderland Empire have officially announced that their nominated charity of the Year for 2018 will be Age UK Sunderland. Bucket collections will be in place across hundreds of performances as a number of West End spectaculars get set to hit the stage at the iconic Grade 2 listed theatre including Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde the Musical, Matilda the Musical, Wicked, Miss Saigon and War Horse to name just a few!

Ben Phillips, Theatre Director at Sunderland Empire said: “We are delighted to announce Age UK as our chosen charity for 2018. We would like to thank our patrons for the substantial generosity they have shown to regional charity collections over the years including Red Sky Ball for CHUF, Centrepoint Sunderland and The Royal British Legion (Northern)”.

Age UK Sunderland offers a range of services to support older people including the Essence Service which supports people in the early stages of dementia and their carers.

In addition to encouraging people to access mainstream community activities the Essence Service delivers a varied activity programme. As part of a mix of both structured and informal activities a series of community based outreach sessions have been established throughout the City of Sunderland.

Tracy Buck, Director of Age UK Sunderland explained: “The Essence outreach is an excellent opportunity to meet people in a similar situation to gain support and meet new friends, it offers a relaxed environment and tailors around your needs.  If you are either a person in the early stages of dementia or a carer of someone with dementia come and pop in for a chat.  Sunderland Empire is a great setting for our new outreach and we are thrilled that Age UK Sunderland has been chosen as their charity of the year!”

Ben Phillips added: “2018 promises to be a vibrant and busy year which will see thousands of patrons visit the theatre giving Age UK Sunderland the opportunity to both raise vital funds at bucket collections alongside the opportunity to raise the profile of their charity further. We look forward to working with Tracy and the team over the coming year”.

The drop in format of the community outreaches offer a relaxed environment for people to access information, take part in informal activities and meet other people. The latest outreach drop in has been set up at Sunderland Empire on Tuesdays (2pm – 4pm) and offers a session in the grand surroundings of the Grade 2 listed theatre.

If you would like to come along to a session please contact the Essence service on 0191 5221310 or email essenceservice@ageuksunderland.org.uk for more information.

Essence community outreach sessions also run at Sunderland Carers Centre, Thompson Road,  Sainsbury’s Silksworth, Millennium Centre, Washington, United Reform Church, Roker and Metcalf Centre, Coalfields area. More information:  ww.essenceservice.org.uk