Viva Arts and Community Group

01353 722228

Multi award-winning charity with a 25 year track record of inclusive arts and community work.

For over 20 years the Viva has focused on cultural outreach, award-winning multi-generational theatre productions, arts engagement and heritage projects.
Viva is a place for creativity, inclusivity, ambition, excellence, fun and great entertainment!
We create exciting arts, cultural & community based opportunities for the local community to participate, learn, achieve & enjoy.

Why the community needs us
Viva benefits people of all ages and abilities throughout Cambridgeshire, however we have a strong focus on young people and people who have less access to arts and community activity due to isolation, situation, disability and so on. Viva is a grassroots charity working with communities to improve quality of life, well-being and community spirit. Viva also offers education and training and aims to improve the skills, prospects and confidence of young people through our work.

Our impact on the community
Established in 1997 by Soham resident Daniel Schumann, Viva began life as a small youth theatre run by a team of volunteers. Viva’s first project was a performance of Bugsy Malone which played to an audience of 400 at Beechhurst Hall, Soham Village College. The show was a big hit and with more and more children joining, Viva were able to expand and take on grander and more ambitious productions. An adult Theatre group was formed in 2007 and Viva now stages around 10 major theatre productions annually with members ranging from age 5-85 years. Viva Arts and Community Group was registered as a charity in 2008 and in 2010 received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service- The MBE for voluntary groups. Over the past 20 years Viva has performed in various venues throughout East Cambridgeshire including Ely Cathedral, the ADC Theatre and many local schools and halls. Viva are biennial visitors to the world famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival where they have received five star reviews and in 2012 Viva had the honour to perform at the Playgroup Theatre in New York City. Viva has picked up many National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) awards including ‘Best Musical’ and ‘Best Overall Production’.

In 2008 Viva purchased it’s first premises, a converted Methodist Chapel in Churchgate Street, Soham where it was able to establish its own Charity Shop, providing core funding and branch out into other areas such as after school drama clubs, accredited arts training such as LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) and the Arts Award. A Viva Office was also formed to centralise communications and carry out various local community projects funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

In 2018 Viva purchased Spencer Mill in Soham and embarked on a large capital project to restore the decaying building and create a permanent home for Viva and a centre for arts, cultural and community activity for the area.

In 2020 Viva were forced to suspend activities and close the Charity Shop following restrictions put in place to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Work continued after a pause on the Mill renovation and Viva refurbished a new retail premises at 14 Churchgate Street, Soham where it now houses The Viva Shop.

In 2022 Spencer Mill, now The Viva Theatre, opened it's doors to the public which was made possible by raising a staggering £4 million in 4 years. On 12th April 2023 Viva was honoured to have the venue officially opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG GCVO at a ceremony attended by 150 guests including funders, trustees, supporters, and Viva members.

The Viva Theatre offers live entertainment in the form of plays, musicals, live music, cabaret and cinema screening. The venue also hosts a range of wellbeing and education opportunities, such as yoga, baby massage, kids yoga, adult education and alternative provision education. We also have our thriving Youth Theatre School every Saturday and a variety of holiday workshops for kids throughout the year.

Without a doubt, Viva’s roots are firmly planted in the local community and it continues to flourish.

What your gift could provide

£10

Expenses for set and costumes for the shows

£50

A school holiday workshop for a 5-12 year old

£100

Fee for a masterclass by a professional practitioner

Fundraise for us!

Charity Information

Viva Arts and Community Group

Telephone: 01353 722228

Address: The Viva Shop & Cafe, Soham Cambridgeshire CB7 5DS

Established in: 2001

Registered charity no.: 1126012