More than 1000 people doing it tough have been able to access the magic of the Adelaide Fringe thanks to community services organisation Lutheran Care and its partnership with the Fringe.

As the festival’s return Community Spotlight partner, Lutheran Care has had the privilege of handing out a total of 1013 tickets over the past two years to members of the community experiencing hardship, disadvantage or the impact of cost of living pressures and who would otherwise be unable to attend the festival.

This year, Lutheran Care distributed a massive 687 tickets to community members including people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, families accessing Lutheran Care’s food relief program, and people connected with Lutheran Care parenting, counselling, financial counselling and Community Connections programs.

Many of Lutheran Care’s amazing Foster Carers were also thrilled to receive tickets and enjoy an opportunity to make memories as a family without the financial burden.

FEEDBACK FROM SOME OF OUR TICKET RECIPIENTS:

“We were so grateful to get tickets to a Fringe show. There are nine of us and there is no way we could have afforded to go out as a family like this. It was a fun night out together as a family, we had a great time.” – Tamara (Foster Carer)

“It was such a joy and treat to go to the Amazing Drumming Monkeys. They are funny for both kids and parents, and it’s a place where jumping around is not only allowed but encouraged! Useful for someone with ASD and ADHD!  Thank you for the opportunity, that we otherwise would not have been able to do. Much appreciated.” – Corinne (Foster Care).

“We were gifted 4 tickets to the 360 All Stars show. I went with my husband and our 2 kids (aged seven and four). We had never seen anything like it – the smiles on my kids’ faces were priceless. Almost every night since, our kids have been inspired to do a show in our loungeroom, complete with tickets, dancing and different tricks they have been practising. Our son was also excited to tell his classmates all about it in show and tell. Big thanks. We couldn’t have otherwise afforded to do anything at the Fringe right now, so it was wonderful to be able to give our family this experience.” – Jessica (Emergency Relief client).

“I took my husband, mother and brother to the House of Comedy show in Gawler. It was a great, funny night – we all loved it.” – Rebecca (Community Connections client).

“When we were given the Fringe tickets my son shot his hands up in the air in such delight and with such excitement in his eyes, I couldn’t help but join in. I haven’t seen a happy reaction like that for such a long time. Thank you so much.” – Walter (Toward Home Emergency Accommodation client).

“I’m so happy I was given the opportunity to go along and enjoy the Fringe with my children. We wouldn’t have been able to go without these tickets from Lutheran Care. It was such a fantastic experience. We all had such a wonderful time.” – Christine, Emergency Relief/Family Zone client.

Lutheran Care Chief Executive Officer Rohan Feegrade was proud to have enriched the lives of some South Australian families this Fringe season.

“When people experience crisis or disadvantage, we immediately provide essential needs such as food, clothing and shelter, and follow up with ongoing help to embed the skills, confidence and knowledge for clients to be able to change their own lives for the better,” Mr Feegrade says.

“Through our partnership with Adelaide Fringe, we’re also proud to have been able to play a part in a family being able to share some special time together at our world class Fringe Festival, without financial stress.

“While the gift of a free Fringe ticket may seem like a small thing, the benefits of access to arts experiences such as music, theatre, and dance cannot be understated. The arts can enhance wellbeing, decrease stress, and offer a pleasant distraction to the very difficult times many of our clients, and countless in the broader community, are working through right now.

“Some of our ticket recipients have never been to a show before. By handing someone that ticket, we may have inspired our next generation of artists, or encouraged someone to enter a career behind the scenes in production, or events.

“We have received many photographs of families and particularly children enjoying themselves at the Fringe this year, and the smiles have been just incredible to see.

“We thank and congratulate the Fringe team and hope the festival’s final week runs smoothly.”

A range of types of shows were included in the ticket giveaway, from children’s shows to circus, music and comedy. The tickets were distributed through Lutheran Care’s various sites, services and networks across metro Adelaide and the Barossa Valley.