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Your support really can make a difference

What is The Atkinson Development Trust?

The Atkinson Development Trust is a registered charity that raises money to support The Atkinson.

It is run by a dedicated team of volunteers aiming to connect people with the heritage, art and stories of Sefton; improve access to the collections and the building; and have a positive impact on local people’s lives.

You can support in lots of ways including donating, becoming a member, adopting a teddy and sponsoring a seat.

Any gift, large or small, makes a real difference in helping the Trust support The Atkinson.

The Atkinson Development Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number 1161020.

hello@atkinsontrust.org.uk

Membership

Membership is your way to get closer to Sefton’s fascinating heritage, and a whole world of incredible art. For just a few pounds a month, you can enjoy a programme of exclusive events and discounts. At the same time, you’ll be helping us to use our remarkable building and its collections to benefit local communities and inspire future generations.

Individual Membership: £36 / £26 concession
Joint Membership: £67 / £47 concession

Membership benefits:
• Special Members-only events, including exclusive access to artist-led exhibition briefings and a behind-the-scenes tour
• Invitations for you and a guest to attend exhibition opening nights
• Free entry to The Atkinson’s regular programme of Evening Talks
• £10 off a purchase of original artwork in our Landing exhibitions, including The Sefton Open.
• A free exhibition catalogue for The Sefton Open
• 10% discount in A Great Little Place café
• 10% discount in The Atkinson’s shop
• A ticket for one of The Atkinson’s regular Studio events: choose between our acclaimed Americana, roots and acoustic gigs with Grateful Fred’s or our relaxing Cake and Classical afternoon concerts. (note that this is one ticket per member, so joint membership includes two tickets)

Purchase online or at the Box Office.
Terms and Conditions apply.

Purchase Membership Terms & Conditions

Adopt a Teddy

Adopt a teddy from our museum collection and support the charitable work of The Atkinson Development Trust.

Adoption packs include a letter from your teddy, a certificate, pin badge, post card and a bookmark. As a special thank you we will also include your name in our museum display!

The Atkinson’s teddy collection was donated to The Botanic Gardens Museum in 1985 by a Mrs Pearce who lived in Southport. The teddies lived in the Botanic Gardens Museum until 2012 when they moved to The Atkinson. The Atkinson’s teddy collection is a very important historical record of toys that were popular in the 20th century. Recently, the teddies have been cleaned by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers and are now proudly displayed on the first-floor landing of The Atkinson. We would love for you to come and visit them.

By adopting a teddy, you are supporting The Atkinson Development Trust; a charity whose vision is to develop The Atkinson as a centre for communities to enjoy the Arts and learn together. Your generous donation is vital in helping the Trust to:

• Support restoration work of The Atkinson’s existing collection, as well as expanding the collection through the acquisition of new works.
• Provide creative opportunities and projects to serve the local community.
• Continue to explore new ways of using the Arts to make a positive impact on people’s lives.

£25 donation. Exclusively available at the counter at The Atkinson’s Box Office.

Meet the Teddies

Sponsor a Seat

Whether you love The Atkinson or want to commemorate someone who did, there is no better way then sponsoring a seat.

By purchasing a little piece of The Atkinson for the next 5 years, you are helping us to remain sustainable into the future and are supporting our work with families, schools and within the community.

Your generous donation of £250 will be acknowledged on a personalised seat plaque that will be seen by thousands of people over the next 5 years, all of them having a great time in our theatre.

To talk to a trustee about sponsoring a seat please email hello@atkinsontrust.org.uk

We reserve the right to reject any inscription which is deemed inappropriate.

hello@atkinsontrust.org.uk

Trustees

Alice Clark, Chair

Alice is an arts and heritage consultant specialising in socially engaged practice. She is passionate about making art accessible to everyone, and supports organisations to develop programmes that engage marginalised groups. Alice has worked with some of the UK’s most high-profile venues, from theatres and galleries, to parks and churches. Previous roles include Exhibitions Manager at University of the Arts London, and Head of Galleries at The Lowry. As a Sandgrounder, Alice recognises and appreciates the difference The Atkinson has made to Sefton. Having recently moved back to the town with her young family, Alice is proud and excited to play a part in supporting The Atkinson as a Trustee.

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Laura Bell

Laura is an award-winning journalist who has spent the last 15 years leading communications and marketing teams across the UK for organisations in the public and private sectors. More recently she established and grew a successful Liverpool office for a B-Corp certified PR agency before setting up her own PR and communications company. Living in Southport with her young family, Laura is passionate about the Atkinson as a valued community resource and hopes to use her skills to better promote TADT and increase donations.

Jill Carruthers

Having grown up in Formby, The Atkinson was key part of Jill’s childhood, attending exhibitions, concerts and even performing in the theatre on several occasions. Now living in Blackpool, Jill is passionate about the North and keen to make a difference. She hopes to support The Atkinson to grow their audiences, raise their profile and develop its outreach. Jill’s career has been varied in the Arts and Heritage sector for over 15 years. As a qualified Project Manager Jill has recently seen the successful opening of Showtown – Blackpool’s new museum. Jill will bring her experience of audience development, fundraising and stakeholder relations to support the work of The Atkinson Development Trust.

Gemma Grady Hill

Gemma has worked for the National Trust Consultancy Team for over 12 years, advising on major Visitor Welcome projects across the North West. She has held various leadership roles in the private and third sectors and has been a Trustee for Lancashire Wildlife Trust since 2018. Living in Southport, Gemma enjoys visiting the Atkinson for exhibitions and productions. Passionate about the Arts, she is a Museums Association Member and is studying an MA in 19th Century Studies. She looks forward to supporting the Atkinson Development Trust by leveraging her expertise in Visitor Business, Membership, Heritage, and Fundraising, while exploring the partnership between Edge Hill University and the Atkinson.

Bernadette Reynolds (Berni)

Berni, an Atkinson Volunteer, has supported the Cultural Industries since her teenage years. She’s been a Front of House Assistant, Chaperone, drama facilitator, committee member for gallery ‘Friends,’ and an access volunteer for people with learning difficulties. Since moving to Southport in 2020, she’s continued volunteering at The Atkinson and Southport Dramatic Club. Passionate about drama’s role in building confidence and friendships for young people, she hopes to see more youth engaging with The Atkinson. Berni holds a Degree and Masters in Art History from The Open University. Semi-retired, she views becoming a Trustee as a natural progression, bringing her lifelong skills to support The Atkinson Development Trust.

Rob Schooler, Treasurer

Matt Smith

Matt has lived and worked in Sefton for over twenty five years and is a keen supporter of The Atkinson’s work and a regular visitor. With a day job as Head of Communications in a national charity supporting independent museums, and over twenty years of working in senior level marketing communications roles in the creative and higher education sectors, he is equipped with a range of skills relevant to the current and future work of the Trust.