OKEHAMPTON?S Get Changed Theatre Company for people with learning disabilities has announced that it will have to close because of lack of funding. The charity, which has operated for the last eleven years, says that it has now reached a critical point in its existence, with sufficient funds to continue only until Christmas. Get Changed allows its members to develop their self-expression and increase their confidence through participating in drama activities ? as well as providing a valuable forum for building friendships and developing contacts in the community. Its performances also aim to educate audiences about disability issues. Trustee of the group, Christine Munckenbeck, said that its members were ?devastated? to hear that the service was to disappear. She explained that the trustees have been desperately seeking solutions to the group?s financial crisis but have found that in the current climate, large national organisations seem to be prioritised for funding. Trustee and treasurer for the group Tony Robinson said: ?It will be very demoralising to see our fantastic service disappear given the enormous efforts made recently to try to secure continuity and a stable future for the group.? The trustees are still holding their breath in the hope that by generating some local interest, a last-minute reprieve might yet emerge. If anyone has suggestions of ways in which to secure the group?s future, please contact Tony on 01837 55720 or visit the Get Changed website at http://www.getchanged.com">www.getchanged.com, which also contains further information about the group and its projects.
