se2 partnership - social enterprise south east

The Freewheelers - creating a state of independence

The Freewheelers....

Using the social enterprise model to empower members of an integrated multi-media theatre company.
Generating income through film-making, performance and disability awareness training.
Creating employment opportunities and changing attitudes.

The Freewheelers Theatre Company brings disabled and non-disabled actors and supporters, production teams and the local community together. They use theatre and dance, wheelchair and voicebox technology, multimedia, animations, puppets and shadows to create innovative work. They particularly like to work collaboratively, surprise people and challenge perceptions. And they say: “We don’t like barriers, rules or conventions.”

The Freewheelers started life at Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People in Leatherhead, Surrey, in 1994. An Arts Council-funded development consultant recommended they move out into the community in October 2007 where they could serve a much wider group of disabled people and artists, and the local community. At the same time they set up as an independent social enterprise.

And the move has paid off. After just sixteen months at The Bridge Centre in North Leatherhead The Freewheelers are receiving a constant stream of enquiries for places both on regular sessions and on workshops. The mix of people is extraordinarily diverse and inspirational, and the atmosphere friendly and full of humour.

They are set up as a Community Interest Company run by five directors, two of whom are disabled, and also very long-term members of Freewheelers. They say they chose to be a social enterprise because it is an empowering concept for members. Together they intend to make money through activities and products so they are as independent as possible.

Viv Colvill from The Freewheelers says: “Our work as a theatre company gives a voice to groups of people who are often invisible in society, and leads to much greater understanding of disability in our local community,an area of deprivation, and among our audiences. Our films will teach children about disability and inspire debate.”

Viv says their plans to make money include: creating and selling products: theatrical performances, films, merchandise (DVDs, greetings cards, t-shirts, etc).

“We will sell workshops in performing arts, and disability training. We will also seek business sponsorship, offering advertising and promotion of company names. We have confidence that more opportunities will arise as we become better known in the region.”

Beneficiaries include the disabled members of the Company, who receive training, performance opportunities and the chance to meet old and new friends. The company’s many volunteers also benefit from their involvement in a worthwhile and thoroughly enjoyable project, and from a deepened understanding of disabled people. The artists involved benefit enormously too, looking at life differently and very creatively as they find ways of giving members a full voice.

The plan is to spread their ethos to many different audiences, both children and adults, through performances and through film, as well as by offering Disability Awareness Training. The company also provides training in the performing arts and media, and in administration, to people who attend their regular sessions. And the hope is that this will lead to paid work for some, as well as improved self-esteem and physical health for everyone.

They have already been able to offer some paid work to two company members. They’ve also provided paid work to one of their volunteers, a disabled film maker, which has lifted him out of the need to receive benefits and enabled him to look for further paid work.

They are providing the opportunity for a young woman who has been excluded from school but is an excellent dancer, to do her Duke of Edinburgh Service Award and hopefully find new confidence and purpose. She wants to make a film to show people the positive side of her character.

The company has many links with local government. For example, Surrey County Council’s Community Arts Manager and Drama Officer are members of a Steering Committee overseeing the way they spend grant income. They have the support of the Mole Valley Arts Development Officer and their local Councillor. In addition they are supported by the Surrey County Council Youth Centre in which they currently work.

Cultural Social Enterprise

The Freewheelers - creating a state of independence