National Friendly, the Bristol-based mutual society, has formally linked up with the city’s iconic Hippodrome theatre to help it develop its connections with local communities.
The agreement seeks to build on National Friendly’s existing community initiatives, including its work with Cabot Primary School through the Ablaze Reading Buddy Programme and will further support fundraising for its charity of the year Southmead Hospital Charity’s NICU fund.
Under the new partnership National Friendly, which specialises in private medical insurance, guaranteed life assurance, assisted living insurance, savings and investments, will also be supporting The Bristol Hippodrome’s Matinee Club.
The club aims to bring together theatre lovers aged 60 and above who would have otherwise attended shows alone, giving them the chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people.
National Friendly CEO Jonathan Long said: “We are delighted to be partnering with one of Bristol’s best-loved theatres. The Bristol Hippodrome not only has a rich history of displaying the best of the arts from across the globe, but also does so much to help those in the wider community today. The theatre will be key in helping us achieve our corporate social responsibility goals for the year, and we are eager to see what the rest of 2019 has in store for the partnership.”
Bristol Hippodrome theatre director Jenny Hutchinson: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with National Friendly on an exciting education and community initiative, as being an inclusive theatre is of paramount importance to us.
“Our collaborative work will benefit National Friendly’s charity of the year (NICU) and the families it supports, pupils from Cabot Primary School and the patrons who attend our Matinee Club.
“Young audiences are particularly important to the future of theatre and so we must ensure we are continuing to create memories for the next generation of theatregoers. Our partnership with National Friendly will give these children, many of whom may not find theatre particularly accessible, the opportunity to see one of our fantastic shows. These partnerships are a great way to strengthen the connection between our community and its local theatre.”
National Friendly was established in 1868. It has no shareholders and exists to serve the best interests of its 33,400 members
Pictured from left: Bristol Hippodrome sales & development manager Naomi Kilcoyn, National Friendly head of risk & compliance Lisa de-Laune, National Friendly executive assistant Dawn Carey, National Friendly chief executive officer Jonathan Long, Bristol Hippodrome theatre director Jenny Hutchinson, National Friendly head of sales & marketing Wayne Carter, Bristol Hippodrome head of marketing Steve Jones, and National Friendly marketing executive Kurtis Reece
