Dale Farm & Grand Opera House
The Context
The Grand Opera House Belfast is the only Victorian Theatre in Northern Ireland, built in 1895. The Theatre presents an annual programme of drama, dance, opera, comedy, musicals and family shows.
Dale Farm is a cooperative, owned by 1,300 dairy farmers across Northern Ireland, England and Scotland. Every farmer that supplies them with milk also owns their company, so the business supports this generation of dairy farmers and the next.
The Challenge
Dale Farm have sponsored The Grand Opera House’s annual pantomime since 2011. They want to encourage people to buy local products and, in turn, support Northern Ireland’s rural community, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of the food they eat. We are all aware that we need to make changes to how we live in order to ensure the sustainability of the planet for future generations. Both organisations wanted to play a key role in supporting the education of children through an immersive experience, helping them understand the importance of a sustainable diet, that is healthy and balanced, as well as appreciating the role of local sourcing and supporting farmers.
The Solution
Local writer Gary Mitchell was commissioned to write a 30-minute play entitled Silly Moos to educate Key Stage 2 pupils (8-10 year olds) about the carbon footprint of our food and its impact on the environment. The play explored where our food comes from, how farmers manage their farms sustainably, the important health benefits of eating a balanced diet and how humans have a critical impact on the environment. The play also highlighted ideas about how we can recycle, reduce and reuse to live more sustainably, making the planet a better place to live.
A short promotional video was shared with Dale Farm staff and their farmer members to showcase how the arts are key to educating young people about the importance of farms in the production of food locally.
The Grand Opera House worked with Dale Farm’s local charity partner, FairShare NI, which tackles food poverty and food waste across the UK, inviting schools in areas the charity works in. This ensured that children who may not normally have had the opportunity to go to the theatre, had the chance to attend a show at the Grand Opera House free of charge.
The Results
- Twelve schools from across Belfast city attended eight performances totalling 727 pupils.
- 93.7% of the children who attended Silly Moos felt they had a greater understanding of where their food comes from. The children referenced the farm as the place where our food can come from – particularly dairy food.
- 92.9% of the children felt they had a greater knowledge of how their food journey impacts the planet.
- The promotional video was circulated to 1,150 Dale Farm staff - 98% of Dale Farm staff who responded said they recognised the role of the arts in engaging/educating children.
- Following this successful CSR project, Dale Farm have renewed their contract as pantomime sponsor for three more years.