Our Mission
Trestle is a mask and physical theatre company with a 40-year history. Our mission is to inspire creativity for all through participation and dialogue. We do this by approaching opportunities with an open mind and playful attitude using masks and mask technique to unlock creativity.
We open up opportunities for everyone to engage with the arts, unleash their creativity, and increase confidence and general wellbeing through participation. Working with our masks presents participants especially those who may otherwise struggle to communicate their stories, feelings and thoughts, with a liberating canvas to be creative, and join with others to build confidence and self-expression.
Our Aims
Create and deliver high quality mask and physical theatre performances and training locally, nationally and internationally.
Support creative growth and improved mental health and well-being through our participatory work with young people and adults.
Send high quality, handcrafted Trestle mask sets and accessible resources across the world
Run Trestle Arts Base as a welcoming venue for professional artists and creative space for local communities
Deliver professional development for teachers and arts practitioners, including MA, PGCE and CPD training.
Partner with professional artists and companies in the development and sharing of their work
About Communities 1st
Communities 1st helps people and organisations to connect, grow, and make a real difference. We encourage volunteering and offer support for older adults and anyone who needs extra help, helping to improve health and wellbeing across the community.
We are a membership organisation and support voluntary community, faith, CIC, social enterprises, and small-medium sized businesses based or working within the districts of St Albans, Hertsmere and Welwyn Hatfield. Our member organisations are able to access specialist, professional advice, training and support that will help their organisation to thrive.
We are proud to have Para Dance UK and Trestle Theatre Company as part of our charity family.
Our Services
We can help you find the perfect volunteering role(s) via our Volunteer Centre which covers St. Albans, Hertsmere, Broxbourne and East Herts, and Welwyn Hatfield. Check out our Let’s Give platform, where volunteering opportunities find you. You create your profile and we do the rest! If your organisation needs support with volunteer recruitment or management, we can help.
Exciting volunteering opportunities are available at our Communities Thirst coffee cart located at St Albans Civic Centre. Whether you're a seasoned barista or just eager to learn, you can volunteer with us, meet new people, and pick up some great skills along the way.
Our Employment Support Hub helps job seekers gain skills and experience to be seen by employers. We offer free personalised guidance and resources for your job search, from career exploration to applications. Our expert team supports CV writing, personal statements, interview prep, valuable networking experience, and more.
We have a presence at the Hertfordshire Healthy Hubs in St Albans and Hertsmere. Healthy Hubs are places where you can find free health and wellbeing support. You can get help to quit smoking, to look after your mental health, fill out applications for benefits, Blue Badge, get Foodbank assistance and much more!
Our Better Days Hubs, located across St Albans, Hertsmere, and Welwyn Hatfield create a welcoming space for everyone to connect, learn, and grow. Find out what Communities 1st and other local charities and community groups have to offer. We also provide services like housing advice, benefits assistance, and more.
If you have difficulty accessing public transport, we have Community Car and Shopper Bus services. Our fun Day Trippers outings are perfect for elderly residents and those who find it challenging to venture out on their own. If you need DIY and gardening help, we have a Handyperson service. We also run a network of Creative Community Cafes and activity groups helping you keep comfortable while taking part in fun activities. If you’re feeling a bit lonely and isolated, our Befriending Service offers emotional support and companionship via regular phone calls.
We offer learning opportunities through our community learning programme, supported volunteering and employment support services, or enjoy our professional skills courses.
We have a small team of Digital Champions who attend our Computers and a Cuppa sessions, helping people to navigate the online world with confidence.
Our Para Dance UK team hosts inclusive online dance classes each week during term time, catering to all abilities and ages. We also have lawn bowls sessions in Borehamwood.
Recently, Trestle Theatre Company became part of the Communities 1st family. Based at Trestle Arts Base in St Albans, a hub for local groups, the company is renowned worldwide for its pioneering use of masks and physical storytelling and building confidence, connection and wellbeing.
There is something for everyone and Communities 1st is here to help! Visit www.communities1st.org.uk for more information, email us@communities1st.org.uk or call 01727 649900.
Our Patrons
Patrons: Jim Broadbent and Nina Conti
A note from Jim Broadbent:
‘I have supported Trestle as a Patron for over twenty years and have been delighted by the inventive use of mask, puppetry and storytelling through the Trestle’s Masked years and into the Unmasked productions. The last show, The Birthday of the Infanta was a celebration of performance, storytelling and physical theatre; evidence of the Company’s continuing and considerable prowess as a creative force in UK theatre.
Trestle led the way as the first UK touring company to build its own home and the beautiful Trestle Arts Base in St Albans has inspired artists from across the globe to make new work. The Company has moved with the times and adapted to circumstance while sustaining a strong commitment to artistic quality, community development and young people.
However, Trestle’s unique creativity and ways of linking touring work with participation programmes and a community building are threatened by cuts in government funding. For thirty years Trestle has given the arts community, young people and audiences across the UK inspiration and learning and now is the moment for you to give back to Trestle.
Please support Trestle by patronising their new projects and donate whatever you can to help Trestle stay creatively vibrant and effective. Anything our supporters can give will make a difference to Trestle’s future.’