Over the past few weeks, the technical team at the Torch Theatre in Milford Have have gone above and beyond to help the local community through this unprecedented time, including dropping off bags of kindling on the doorsteps of vulnerable neighbours to donating bags of unused food and popcorn to PATCH.

Most recently, the team have been making Face Shields in their own time to give to our local front line workers; the nurses, the carers and nursing assistants.

To date, over 1,000 Face Shields have been made and delivered across the county.

To help support this incredible gesture of goodwill to the community, the Torch has set up a GoFundMe page which so far has raised over £1,000.

Monies raised will go to cover the costs of making the shields. More information can be found in the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sc6qu7-face-shields-for-key-workers?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

At the point of closure in March, the Torch promised to find new ways to inspire and support the community and they have been true to their word.

“We have embraced the digital age to continue some of our workshops and community groups online,” said Executive Director and Chief Executive of the Torch, Ben Lloyd.

“Our two choirs, Torch Voices and The Cradle Choir (Dementia Friendly Choir) are meeting weekly with their members continuing to sing their hearts out from the comfort of their living rooms. My Voices and My Moves, our disability groups with Arts Care also continue to run in the virtual world.”

The Cradle Choir led by the Welsh National Opera, are currently inviting those living with dementia across Pembrokeshire the opportunity to join their weekly Zoom sessions led by David Fortey (of Only Men Aloud) and pianist Mark Jones every Wednesday at 11 am. For more information contact [email protected]

“Our Youth and Education Officers, Chloe and Johnny, have been busy keeping our Youth Theatre engaged. A number of fun theatre related challenges have been set and most recently the first Lock Down Diary was released on the Youth Theatre’s Facebook page,” continued Ben.

“This diary is a reflection of time at home and will be updated weekly. It’s well worth checking out.”

If you fancy a singalong, Torch Voices Musical Director, Angharad Sanders, is running a ’Virtual’ Voices on the Torch Facebook page, live, every Thursday at 5 pm during lockdown. Songs can be requested and Angharad will sing and play for you to join in.

“It has been an extraordinary few months, and I could never have imagined having to orchestrate the lockdown of our precious theatre from bed, with suspected Covid-19 - but my experience is just a ripple on the sea of difficulties being experienced by our friends and patrons, and we as a theatre stand in solidarity with our community, extending a huge collective thank you to our key workers, from all at the Torch,” said Ben.

“I extend our sincere thanks to those patrons who have felt able to donate the value of tickets for cancelled or suspended shows or activities. As a charity we have seen sustained reductions in funding over the past 10 years and do not have adequate reserves to endure the devastating loss of our earned income.

“As social distancing looks likely to be in place for an extended period, the Torch will remain in a vulnerable position for the foreseeable future. Significant work is ongoing to secure the future of the Torch and in the coming months we will announce new fundraising initiatives in support of our invaluable community engagement work and the delivery of our unique artistic programme.

“Finally, on behalf of the whole team here at the Torch, I want to send you our very best wishes. We are thinking of you all and hoping above all else that you and your families stay safe. I have no doubt that we as a community will come through this stronger and I hope that the kindness, thought and compassion we are showing each other at this time can sustain far beyond this crisis which has seen the best of us at the worst of times.

“We are missing you badly and look forward to the day coming soon when we can once more open our doors and welcome the community back together,” he added.