LIGHTS. SOUND. ACTION.

Help us bring Groundlings to life.

Groundlings Theatre has found an exciting new home in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, but an empty space isn't a theatre.

  • We need lighting.

  • We need sound.

  • We need staging.

Most importantly, we need a community that believes in the power of theatre.

We're aiming to raise £6,000 to transform our venue into a fully functioning community theatre where people of all ages can experience live performance, develop their creativity, and have the opportunity to take part.

Everyone in the community should have the chance to perform and engage with music, dance and drama and build a love of theatre and performing, whatever their age.

Every piece of equipment we own reduces our running costs and allows us to invest even more into the people and communities we exist to serve.

To take part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, we first need to secure £1,500 in pledges from supporters.

A pledge is not a donation today. It is a promise to give a set amount in the future if our campaign is successful. Pledges form the match-funding commitment for our campaign and are fulfilled after the Big Give campaign in December.

The public Big Give campaign will then take place in the first week of December, when supporters will be able to make donations to Groundlings. These December donations will be eligible for Gift Aid where applicable.

By supporting Groundlings, you're not simply helping us buy equipment.

  • You're helping create performances.

  • You're supporting workshops and community activity.

  • You're opening the stage to people of all ages.

  • You're giving local performers a place to perform.

  • You're helping create a permanent creative home for our community.

As the pledge must be a minimum of £100 you can pool with friends, or if you know anyone that can support us please do pass on!

To make a pledge please click on this link here

Thank you for your support and, together, let's raise the curtain on the next chapter of Groundlings Theatre!

FAQ

  • What is a Pledger?

    A pledger promises to give a set amount, with a minimum pledge of £100, but doesn't pay anything when making the pledge.

    If our campaign is successful, you'll be asked to fulfil your pledge after the Big Give campaign in December.

    A pledge is not a donation. It is an undertaking or promise to give a set amount in the future.

  • How can you help?

    Become a pledger by completing the online pledge form before 5pm on 28 August 2026 here

    A pledge must be a minimum of £100, which you can pool with friends to contribute.

    Our aim is to secure £1,500 in pledges, which will form the match-funding commitment for our Big Give campaign.

    If pledging isn't right for you, you can still support us during the public Big Give campaign in the first week of December by making a donation.

  • What is a Big GIve Pledge?

    A pledge is not a donation today.

    It is simply a promise to give £100 or more if Groundlings successfully completes its Big Give Christmas campaign.

    Pledges are used as the match-funding commitment for the campaign and are fulfilled after the campaign in December.

    The donations made by members of the public during the Big Give campaign are separate from these pledges and may qualify for Gift Aid where applicable

  • Why do you need a pledge now, why can't I just donate?

    To take part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, charities must first secure pledges from supporters.

    These pledges form the match-funding commitment that allows us to take part in the campaign.

    So, at this stage, we're asking supporters to make a promise of future support, rather than making a donation.

    The public donation campaign will take place in the first week of December.

  • If I make a pledge, when do I actually pay?

    If you become a pledger today, you're simply making a promise.

    No payment is made when you pledge.

    You'll be asked to fulfil your pledge after the Big Give campaign has finished in December.

  • Why is the minimum pledge £100?

    This is a requirement of particpating in a BIg Give campaign, with the benefit that they match fund every £1 raised.

    Whether you pledge £100 or £1,000, you're helping us build the pledge commitment we need to take part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge.

    You can pool with other people to pledge the £100 but the pledge on teh Big Give website must be for a minimum of £100.

    Every pledge helps us get closer to our £1,500 pledge target and our overall £6,000 fundraising target based on Big Give match funding all our donations.

  • What are you raising money for?

    We're raising money for the things that make theatre... a theatre.

    Stage lighting.
    Sound equipment.
    Staging.

    Owning this equipment means we can spend less on hiring it and more on creating performances, workshops, community events and opportunities for people of all ages.

  • Who will benefit?

    Groundlings is about creating opportunities for the whole community.

    We want our new home to be a place where anyone can perform, audiences can enjoy live theatre, people can develop their confidence and creativity, and communities can come together.

    Therefore we want the space to be availble for other local creative groups to use for performances as much as our own Theatre School students and productions.

  • Who can become a Pledger?

    Whether you're an audience member, volunteer, local business, supporter, trust or simply someone who believes community theatre matters... you can help.

    If you can pledge £100 or more, you'll be helping Groundlings reach its £1,500 pledge target and take an important step towards our £6,000 fundraising goal.