Bristol Old Vic's Tenth Big Give Christmas Challenge looks to the future
1 Dec 2025
Bristol Old Vic's Tenth Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025 looks to the future in the theatre's 260th year.
Starting at noon on Tue 2 Dec, Bristol Old Vic will once again be part of The Big Give Christmas Challenge, an annual week-long campaign where all donations made to the theatre via The Big Give website from Tue 2 Dec - Tue 9 Dec will be doubled.
This year, Bristol Old Vic's Big Give campaign is aiming to raise £55,000 for the Future Fund 260 Appeal, inspired by the historic Theatre's 260th birthday year which begins in Jan 2026. Future Fund 260 is a bold and ambitious campaign dedicated to our long-term vision to address inequality in access to the arts and nurture a diverse generation of artists whose voices and stories will truly reflect our society. It's laying the foundations for a future where everyone, regardless of background, can experience the benefits of theatre.
For almost 260 years, Bristol Old Vic has been a home for storytelling, bringing the transformative power of theatre to the people of Bristol and beyond.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we’ve developed industry-leading programmes such as Young Six Six and Young Company City that bring life-changing opportunities to young people who may otherwise face barriers to the arts.
Now, at a time when creative opportunities for young people and emerging artists are in decline, this work is more important than ever.
With your help, we are committed to creating lasting change.
See how The Big Give donations help:
Through Future Fund 260, we will:
- Expand our Young Company programmes into the most underserved areas of Bristol, reaching more young people than ever before with life-changing creative experiences.
- Strengthen our training opportunities to further support young people in developing theatre-making skills and progressing into the industry.
- Grow our artist development programmes to provide long-term support and remove systemic barriers faced by directors and writers.
It is not an exaggeration to tell you that the students’ lives have changed as a result of coming to the sessions. The progress is palpable. Students whose parents would have never imagined they had such creativity and resilience to perform have shocked us all
Young Company City Programme Manager
The potential of having a home, developing my writing, and the ability to represent the various worlds and people around me with dignity, delights me.
Muneera Pilgrim, Five Year Commitment resident writer
It’s like this really friendly kind of place that you feel safe in.
Year 6 member of Young Company
Without opportunities like Young SixSix, there are a whole generation of amazing, creative, exciting young people who get lost because they don’t think that path is for them.
Julia, Theatre Director and Young SixSix leader.
Tamara Pink, Bristol Old Vic's Strategic Development & Fundraising Director said:
“We’re incredibly proud that Bristol Old Vic has been taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge for 10 years. Together we’ve raised over £300,000 and every pound has helped us deliver the magic of theatre to communities across our city. The joy of the Big Give is that every donation is matched, allowing our supporters to double the impact of their gifts. This year, for our 10th Big Give Christmas Challenge, we are raising funds for our Future Fund 260 appeal, supporting our work with young people and emerging artists. This appeal is all about securing the future of our historic theatre and we hope people across Bristol and beyond will help us reach our biggest target yet!”
If you donate via The Big Give website between Tue 2 Dec and midday Tue 9 Dec your donation will be DOUBLED for free.
Bristol Old Vic Engagement
Bristol Old Vic is internationally well-known for its West-End transfers and five-star productions, but the ground-breaking work it does to bring creative opportunities to young people and adults in every postcode in the city is less well-known. Bristol Old Vic’s Engagement team work tirelessly across Bristol to help people harness their imaginative powers, gain confidence and find their voice.
