“It is important for my child to have a place where they can get extra support.” – Learning Club parent. 

Our Learning Club is now up and running thanks to the support of the National Lottery Community Fund and the Freemasonry and Lieutenancies Partnership Fund. 

Launched in September 2024, this year-round weekly club will deliver core learning skills in a fun and accessible way to young people and children, covering skills such as IT, reading the arts, writing and reading. 

The first eight-weeks will be an exciting project run in conjunction with The Showroom Cinema in Sheffield to support the future film curators.  Young leaders from Utopia Theatre and The Showroom are co-producing the sessions, which will be designed to empower and upskill everyone who wants to curate powerful stories of black empowerment. 

Our Learning Club is a space where young people and children can learn in a supportive environment to build their confidence and share unique skills which will help to underpin bright futures. Session leaders will introduce wonderful and exciting African diaspora writers and African literature to our young learners. 

The free sessions are open to 9-18 year olds, particularly recently arrived refugees, asylum seekers and young people whose parents and carers do not have English as a first language.

Mojisola Kareem, CEO and Artistic Director, said: “This is a really important initiative to get off the ground, and we’re delighted to be able to reach under-represented members of the next generation of artists and makers who will really benefit from weekly sessions which are set in themes to ensure we can boost their skills and confidence in the right ways. 

“At Utopia Theatre, we’re all about providing opportunities for people who may ordinarily struggle to enter the arts. The learning Club is a way of inspiring them to get involved.” 

All sessions are to be held at the Creative Hub on Rockingham Gate in Sheffield every Saturday, 12 noon-3pm. Places are limited to 15. To book onto sessions for the film curators block of learning, visit our what’s on page. 

To find out more about the Learning Club, visit: www.utopiatheatre.co.uk/youth-academy/ . Or email info@utopiatheatre.co.uk if you’d like more details. 

Our Learning Club is kindly funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and the Freemasonry and Lieutenancies Partnership Fund. Meanwhile, our All in One Interactive Whiteboard used in sessions has been purchased with a grant from Freshgate Trust Foundation. Our thanks to all organisations for their continued support.