Youth group Allsort’d is to return to The Mowlem in Swanage, Dorset, to perform its third major stage production – and this time, they want to raise £12,000 to enable wheelchair users to access the stage.
Previously, some members of Allsort’d – a group of local young adults with learning disabilities and associated difficulties – have been unable to take part fully in its stage shows, as there’s no access for wheelchairs, but now they are raising money to buy a platform lift to move wheelchair users from the theatre auditorium, up onto the stage.
Allsort’d is aiming to raise £12,000 for a portable lift so that everyone can use The Mowlem’s stage
Portable wheelchair lift for The Mowlem
A £12,000 appeal has been launched and fundraising is already well under way for the portable piece of equipment which will help The Mowlem improve its accessibility and give everyone a chance to have their moment in the spotlight.
Tickets for An Audience with Allsort’d and Friends, on Wednesday 16th April 2025, are now on sale and if the show can sell out, the £12,000 target to buy the lift and to service it for its first five years, will be well within reach.
The sum has risen by £2,000 since the idea was first suggested, as the equipment now attracts VAT, but the Swanage community is already rallying round to make sure that the appeal is a success.
Purbeck artists have given pieces of work for a silent auction to be held on the night of the show and local businesses have generously donated gifts for a raffle to raise more funds.
A rehearsal for an Audience with Allsort’d and Friends, promising dance, songs, jokes and friendship
“So welcoming and warm towards us”
Paula Kirk from Allsort’d, said:
“Everyone in the community has done so much for us, everyone knows Allsort’d and they are so welcoming and warm towards us, so we wanted to give something back to them.
“Allsort’d have previously raised money for various charities with our productions at The Mowlem theatre, but this time we are raising money for The Mowlem theatre itself to help grow its accessibility.
“The lift isn’t about us necessarily, it’s about anyone in Purbeck who wants to be on stage but currently can’t because of their circumstances.
“The stage is currently inaccessible for anyone in a wheelchair, you need to get up steps to get onto it, and there is nowhere near the stage to site a permanent lift – so it needs to be mobile and able to be put out of the way after performances.”
The Allsort’d Choir has become a firm favourite in Swanage
“Festival vibe and an upbeat tempo”
Paula added:
“An example of the platform lift will be on show during the performance so that everyone can see what they are raising money for – it’s fully portable and will allow people with mobility issues to access the stage at The Mowlem.
“The Mowlem team is absolutely amazing at looking at accessibility for anyone with any need, are very open to working with us and its trustees will take on responsibility for the lift after the first five years.
“They have let us have the stage for free for our one night show and HK Law and Corbens Estate Agents have been amazingly generous and have sponsored us, while we have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have supported our raffle and auction.
“The show will have a festival vibe and an upbeat tempo, with the theme of friendship, including some versions of Lean On Me and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and will be a real evening of fun, laughter and happiness, just what we need at the moment!”
Allsort’d staged Midsummer Madness at The Mowlem in 2024 and are now rehearsing for a variety concert
Working with other groups
This year Allsort’d are working with other organisations that support adults with additional needs, including H And H Care in Wareham, Out and About based in Poole, and the Remix Originals – part of Activ8, a Dorset wide charity that supports children into the performing arts.
They will also be supported on the night by Swanage singers Karen Grant, Singing For Pleasure, Laura Jolly and Emma Fidler, and the show will be compered by Simon Wells.
Dozens of individuals and businesses have already made donations for the raffle and auction, including Nixons, Swanage Book Shop, Fish Plaice, WHSmith, John’s Toyland, Candleworld, Rainbow’s End, Baboo, Raspberry Rose and Chococo.
The Old Stables, Pursenalities, Studio South, Imagine, Lucy’s Farm, Andy Knill, Beavers, Fifi’s, JJ Moore, The Pantry, The Legion, Margaret Green Animal Rescue, The East Bar, Tied, Lerryn, Burt’s Bits, Corfe Bears, Fusion, Sue’s Cards, Romeo’s, and Swanage Bay Fish have also donated, along with many others.
A daily dip in the sea for charity has helped Swanage resident Milly Haines raise more than £1,000 towards the appeal
Daily dip raises more than £1,000
Sea swimmer Milly Haines has been raising towards the £12,000 target by taking a daily dip – mostly in Swanage Bay – every day since the start of September 2024.
Milly, who has already raised more than £1,000 and aims to keep on dipping until at least the start of British Summer Time, said:
“I’ve been Daily Dipping in the sea every day since 1st September 2024 to help raise funds and awareness for Allsort’d and their plans for a new portable wheelchair platform for the Mowlem Theatre.
“It has been a real privilege to be able to help raise the funding needed for The Allsort’d community that have given so much to my son and I.
“Yes, certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, but getting in the sea everyday has given me such a welcome routine to start my day.
“As an autistic person, it has given me a massive sense of relief, not only because it’s boosted my confidence with being around people, but has also helped me realise that if I can do this then I can do anything that the day throws at me.
An early morning dip has given Milly a huge confidence boost
“Such a sense of achievement”
Milly added:
“I was expecting the challenge to be hard and if I am completely honest there have been days where even thinking about getting in a chilly sea or lake really didn’t feel worth it, but I have never once regretted it.
“Each daily dip that I ticked off gave me such a sense of achievement, and the incredible encounters I’ve had through jumping in cold water has made the last seven months memorable in all the right ways!
“From the bottom of my heart thank you to anyone that has been behind the scenes and so on board with making sure I do dip each day as well as sponsoring my Just Giving page.
“Your support and encouragement has been invaluable. Especially to my wonderful family that have been so adaptive to this new routine.”
A portable lift, pictured here in use at the Assembly Rooms, Bath, is a high priority for The Mowlem
“A high priority for The Mowlem”
Thomas Curtis, operations manager of The Mowlem, added:
“We are working closely with Allsort’d who are a lead example of the need to put a lift in here – it is a high priority for The Mowlem and fully supported by us.
“Together, we will arrange for an example of the type of lift that could be used here to be available on the night of the show, and make sure that we get the right piece of equipment for the future which serves a real need for users.”
Between uses, the portable lift can be folded up and stored away
Further information
- Tickets for An Audience with Allsort’d and Friends are available from The Mowlem
- Contribute to the fund on the Allsort’d Just Giving page
- Support Milly Haines on her Daily Dip challenge page
