THE future of a Chippenham theatre group looks bright after grants totalling £5,700 has allowed them to expand into a larger premises and launch a new workshop aimed at 12-16-year-olds.

Rag and Bone Arts, formerly based at St Paul’s Church, provides a place for children and adults to be creative through dance, theatre and art workshops as well as the group’s annual productions.

Founded six years ago by Laura Graham-May – a qualified dance and theatre teacher – the company has recently moved to The Cause Music and Art Centre after receiving £5,000 from the Local Youth Network (LYN).

“We’re right in the centre of town because we want to appeal to a large demographic and we had advice from the LYN to move into the centre,” said Mrs Graham-May, who is also education and arts officer at the Chippenham Borough Lands Charity.

“When I was growing up the theatre was a bit of a safe haven and magical place where I could make friends outside of school and I wanted to recreate that.

“I really think the arts can be a real haven for kids, I think 12-16-years-old is a difficult age for children and if you don’t learn in a traditional way at school you can be a bit lost. Everybody is unique.”

As well as classes for 4-11-year-olds and adults, a new 12-16-year-old workshop was held for the first time on Saturday and young people in the area are being encouraged to join.

The company has also received £700 from the Leo Darby Scholarship – set up in memory of the Ivy Lane pupil who died from cancer in 2015 – which will go towards the new workshops.

“Leo and his brother were with the company from 2011 and we’re now good friends with his parents,” added Mrs Graham-May.

“He absolutely loved creating his own work, he loved writing and helping us with the ideas.

“This is the group he would have moved into and it was around the age I discovered theatre.”

The new group meets on Saturday’s between 12.30-2.30pm, and for more information visit http://ragandbonearts.com