Founded by Mike and Lottie Ward in 1985, the Actors’ Workshop is a small not-for-profit youth theatre charity located in the heart of Halifax, West Yorkshire. Through weekly acting classes and quarterly stage productions, the Workshop strives to provide young people aged 11-19 with a creative outlet for their talents in a supportive and relaxed environment. But the Workshop is so much more than just a youth theatre. For many, it’s a second home; a place where Risks are taken, Confidence is built, and life-long Friendships are forged. At the Workshop, the objective isn’t so much to create actors, but to equip young people with the skills they need to succeed in life, and the Confidence (capital C) to be themselves.

Robert first joined The Workshop aged 13 with a passion for performance and storytelling. Over the course of many years, through a unique blend of philosophy, self-exploration and performance-inspired learning, the Workshop has shaped Robert’s journey through life, helping to define not only his career, but also the person he has become today. Since 2019, he has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, continuing to give back to the organisation that has given him so much. By donating to this cause, you will not only be contributing to the important work the Workshop does, but you will also be helping to ensure that future generations of young people across Calderdale have access to that same transformative experience.

For more than forty years now, this modest charity in a quiet corner of rural West Yorkshire has been providing a vital creative lifeline to young people, helping thousands to find their place in the world. The greatest gift that we could receive is knowing that our celebration has helped to sustain that endeavour.