There were numerous fantastic developments and achievements amongst our Charter Partners this year.
Many included successfully returning people after caring related leave, or finding effective ways to support those with caring responsibilities joining a project or a show - be it on stage or backstage.
We are proud of every one of you! A few highlights…
Jacksons Lane
We are thrilled to share and exciting milestone for Jacksons Lane. As part of their work with us they have officially enhanced their maternity, paternity, and adoption leave and pay packages, reflecting their commitment to supporting their team members at every stage of their lives. These bold changes are key steps towards creating a culture of care in the workplace culture.
Birmingham Rep
Birmingham Rep have delivered outstanding support this year to parents and carers working backstage. Not only have they appointed a Head of Wardrobe job share, they enabled a young stage manager with a baby to return to work by offering their on-site flat so the freelancer could bring their baby and family along to assist with childcare.
Grid Iron and National Theatre of Scotland
Charlene Boyd’s fantastic one-woman show June Carter-Cash: The Women, Her Music and Me, Directed by Cora Bisset, is the story of June Carter-Cash, a woman forging her own path in a deeply male-dominated domain, and about a working mum trying to manage the juggling act between reaching your potential and trying to be the mother you aim to be.
The tour-de-force production was supported by PiPA Partners Grid Iron Theatre and National Theatre Scotland, who made sure that the team were able to successfully balance their work and caring responsibilities.
Charlene said: “As a single income household and parent, working in theatre is often impossible. As project lead, I worked with NTS, the director Cora and Grid Iron to factor in caring responsibilities at every turn. Contribution to care costs, scheduling around care and having as open a room as possible, children of all ages joined when needed.
It really made a difference and there are so many things that are achievable for parents, when care support is put in place and discussed ahead of a project.”
We were delighted to be part of a celebration event at the Fringe, to highlight the complexities of being a creative and a parent, with on-site creche provision provided!
Next Door But One
Provided fantastic all-round support to a DSM returning to her freelancer career from Maternity Leave on two of their projects.
“From the very first conversation with the company my caring responsibilities were acknowledged and supported, with the whole team helping me figure out what I needed as I navigated the new landscape of returning to work alongside being a parent. I never felt the need to apologise or explain and was simply able to do what I needed to, both as a parent and as a working professional. It was an affirming experience for me that I can be both.”