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23/9/26: The Hive Welcomes International DJ and Producer Sonny Wharton as a New Patron.

The Hive, Shrewsbury’s leading creative arts charity, is delighted to announce internationally renowned DJ and music producer Sonny Wharton as its newest Patron, joining acclaimed comic illustrator Charlie Adlard and award-winning playwright Hattie Naylor.

With strong links to Shrewsbury and Shropshire, Sonny Wharton has built an international reputation as one of the UK’s most respected electronic music artists, performing at some of the world’s biggest festivals and clubs while championing creativity, connection and self-expression through music.

His appointment reflects The Hive’s commitment to inspiring young people and communities through the arts in all its forms. While Charlie Adlard represents the power of visual storytelling and Hattie Naylor brings a celebrated voice from the world of theatre, Sonny’s deep roots in music and live performance bring a fresh and exciting dimension to The Hive’s growing family of patrons.

As a DJ and producer, Sonny understands first-hand how creativity can transform lives, build confidence and create opportunities. His journey from Shropshire to the international stage demonstrates the power of passion, perseverance and artistic ambition, making him a powerful role model for the young people The Hive supports every day.

Sonny’s connection to audiences, communities and grassroots music culture makes him a natural fit for The Hive. Through his patronage, he will help champion the charity’s mission that young people should continue to have access to inspiring creative experiences within their community.

Welcoming the opportunity to be involved with The Hive, Sonny said:

“I’m incredibly proud to become a Patron of The Hive. Creativity has shaped my life and career, and I know how important it is for young people to have opportunities to explore their talents and express themselves. The Hive does amazing work across Shropshire, and I’m excited to support their mission and help inspire the next generation of creative talent.”

Sharing her excitement about this new chapter for The Hive, CEO Katie Jennings said:

“We’re thrilled to welcome Sonny as a Patron. His passion for creativity, his local roots and his success on the world stage make him an inspiring ambassador for The Hive. Together with Charlie Adlard and Hattie Naylor, he strengthens our ability to advocate for the transformative power of the arts and creativity within our communities.”

For more information about The Hive and its work across Shropshire, visit www.hiveonline.org.uk.

For press enquiries please contact Vicki Duckett-Snape: vicki@hivenonline.org.uk.

25/8/26: We listened to your feedback and took action.

We’re excited to share that we’re moving to a new ticketing system designed to make your experience smoother, simpler, and more efficient. Your feedback played a key role in this decision, and we believe this new platform will provide an improved booking journey for everyone.

We’re moving to TicketSource, a trusted ticketing provider used by arts organisations, charities, and venues across the UK. After experiencing ongoing issues with our existing system, we’re really pleased to be making the move to a more reliable and user-friendly service for our customers, hirers, artists, and team.

As part of the change, our current £1 booking fee will be replaced by a 4% + VAT booking fee per ticket, which will go directly to TicketSource to provide and operate the ticketing service. This means the fee may be lower for some lower-priced tickets and higher for more expensive tickets.

There are some great benefits too, including an improved online booking experience and access to TicketSource’s telephone box office outside The Hive’s usual telephone hours.

One important thing to know: the new booking fee goes to TicketSource rather than The Hive.

As a charity and community venue, every donation made directly to The Hive helps us continue our work with children and young people, support our community, and keep our much-loved venue thriving. If you’re able to add a donation when supporting us, however small, it really does make a difference. 💙

We’ll keep you updated as we make the switch and will do everything we can to make the transition as smooth as possible. If you having any issues with the new system, please email admin@hiveonline.org.uk

Thank you, as always, for supporting The Hive. 🐝

22/5/26: The Hive Nurture Garden

This time last year, our garden was in need of some attention. Our dream was to create a bright, accessible and welcoming space for our visitors.  Fortunately, our call for assistance was answered by our community.

This spring The Hive’s Nurture Garden had benefited from fantastic help from friends to make some blossoming changes. This spring an eager and enthusiastic group of volunteers transformed our outside space into a place everyone can access and enjoy. We are so thankful for the support we have received so far to help us create a more accessible and welcoming outdoor space within our town centre venue.   

This venture is kindly supported by Veolia Envirogrant & Nature Hubs funding, with particular thanks to our garden designer Ben Thomas, amazing volunteers from The Hive, Shrewsbury Men’s Sheds, Shrewsbury Town Council, and Cadent Gas for their time, expertise and unwavering positivity, and Shropshire Wildlife Trust colleagues for their invaluable advice on encouraging wildlife to our garden. 

We plan to continue transforming our courtyard further, and still need help to do so. 

If you are sorting through your garden shed this spring and come across some unused pots, please consider donating them to us for use in our newly spruced community courtyard garden.

More developments still to come this spring and summer – watch this green space! 

HOW CAN I HELP?
If you would like to volunteer your time to help create a beautiful, tranquil, and welcoming Nurture Garden at The Hive, please get in touch. We need volunteers to help with the next big task of cleaning the masonry and painting the garden walls. Please contact Sarah@hiveonline.org.uk to register your interest.

8/12/25: Support Young Lives: Become One of The Hive100 and Help Shape a Brighter Future.

The Hive is more than an arts venue — nestled in the centre of Shrewsbury Town, it’s a lifeline for young people seeking confidence, connection and creativity. As a registered charity, The Hive is proudly launching The Hive100, a new initiative inviting local people to help sustain the meaningful work that changes young lives every day.

Marketing Manager Vicki Duckett-Snape explains how the idea emerged:
“During our Save The Hive campaign last summer, so many people asked how they could continue supporting us. We wanted to find a way for our community to support us that was simple, accessible and affordable. The Hive100 is just one of the ways for the community to stand with us, not just in a moment of urgency, but for the long term.”

CEO Katie Jennings shares why this ongoing support means so much:
“The heartfelt donations from our community last summer were a crucial lifeline that allowed us to keep our doors open and our dedicated team thriving. They gave us the vital grace period we needed to pursue additional funding and continue our mission. As with all charities, project grants come with deadlines and regular donations are essential. Your generous support empowers us to plan future projects with confidence, such as our new Alternative Provision programme for Shropshire.This programme provides a safe and creative space for children and young people who struggle with traditional education and supports those with complex needs in a non-academic environment. Projects like this need a solid home in Shrewsbury – for young people across Shropshire. Knowing that people want to walk alongside us and the young people we support is incredibly inspiring.”

 

Become part of The Hive100
A monthly donation of just £12 will make you one of the first 100 supporters to join a new circle of regular givers. Becoming a member of The Hive100 makes you a key architect in this exciting part of The Hive’s journey to:

* Empower young lives through our vibrant and creative wellbeing projects, such as Amplify, where local young people explore their musical potential. With support from industry experts, we’re building skills and confidence for a brighter future!

* Provide safe, inclusive spaces either at our venue, or within our community where young people can belong and grow.

* Respond to rising needs around mental health and isolation. 45% of young people and 48% of students have reported that anxiety has affected their day-to-day lives. In England, there was a significant increase in new mental health referrals for under-17s in 2023-24, more than doubling since before the pandemic. (https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-features/latest-news/detail/2024/08/27/shocking-rise-in-children-needing-treatment-for-anxiety).

* Build a stronger, more resilient future for children and young people in our communities. 

 

As a Founder of The Hive100:
* Your name will be proudly displayed on our website as a Founding Member of The Hive100.

* You will receive exclusive updates and stories showing behind the scenes at The Hive. We will spotlight participants and projects and share with you how your donation directly impacts the lives of young individuals.

* You can collect a stunning custom-designed canvas tote bag as a token of thanks from The Hive team. 

* Priority invites to exclusive showcase events where you will witness first hand the impact TheHive100 has on our charity.

 

Why It Matters
For many young people, The Hive is the one place they feel understood, welcomed and able to express who they are. Every workshop, every conversation, every creative spark is made possible by people who believe in them.

This is your chance to stand with them.

Be one of the first 100. Help build a more creative, connected and confident future for young people in Shropshire.

“The Hive is a step closer to home.” – Luna Jones, Hive participant and young trustee. 

Join The Hive100 today at hiveonline.org.uk

 

Support Young Lives. Give to The Hive.

21/11/25: The Hive Launches New Alternative Provision for Young People in Shropshire

This winter, The Hive is proud to announce the launch of a dynamic new Alternative Provision programme aimed at providing a safe, creative space for children and young people who face challenges with traditional education. This initiative offers a flexible, non-academic environment designed to support those with complex needs, including attendance difficulties, SEMH (social, emotional, mental health) needs, anxiety, or care experience.

The programme and delivery timeframe will be tailored specifically for children with EHCPs or EOTAS packages, who are not attending formal education or are struggling with school attendance and social skills. The Hive’s innovative approach fosters engagement, confidence, and resilience by offering a relaxed, vibrant setting where young people can explore their interests through arts, music, photography, and design.

“Our goal is to create an environment where every child and young person can find their place in the world,” said Katie Jennings, CEO of The Hive. “We recognise the importance of individuality, diversity, and personal growth. Our programme is about more than just learning — it’s about developing identity, building healthy relationships, and gaining the confidence to thrive.”

The programme offers flexible support sessions, ranging from 2 to 4 hour sessions, tailored to individual needs. Whether through one-to-one mentoring or small group activities, each learner benefits from experienced staff who adopt a mentor-style approach, fostering trust and exploration. Activities include DJing, singing, songwriting, recording, photography, graphic design, and printmaking — all interwoven with core academic subjects where appropriate.

By encouraging self-awareness, communication, and emotional development, The Hive aims to reignite a love for learning outside of traditional classroom settings. The programme supports young people in overcoming barriers to engagement, reducing anxiety, and nurturing their personal and social skills, fostering a sense of achievement and belonging.

For more information about The Hive’s alternative provision program and how it can support children and young people in Shropshire, please contact Amy Smith, Youth Engagement Lead: projects@hiveonline.org.uk.

For press enquiries please contact Vicki Duckett-Snape: vicki@hiveonline.org.uk

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17/10/25: The Hive Secures Two Years of National Lottery Funding to Empower Young People

The Hive in Shrewsbury is celebrating the news that it has secured a £99,600 grant over two years from The National Lottery Community Fund, Reaching Communities grant. The funder distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK. This grant will provide a vital investment that will not only help to safeguard essential services for young people in the county but also strengthen the foundations for long-term, systemic change.

Find out more