At the start of the year, over 70 Afghan refugees were invited to the final performance of Sleeping Beauty at the Crewe Lyceum following an approach by the charity, Care UK.

The charity provides aid through various agencies for several hundred asylum seekers in the North West. These are families brought to the UK from various countries by the United Nations under the resettlement scheme.

The trip to see Sleeping Beauty at the Lyceum was the first time any of them had attended a theatre and they left with huge smiles on their faces. Hopefully it brought a little joy to their festive season after what must have been an unimaginable evacuation from Kabul and adjustment to a completely new way of life thousands of miles from home.

The Lyceum team were really happy to host the families and it was a lovely way to round off a successful panto season by making a real difference to these people’s lives and creating some happy memories of their first new year in the UK.

Louisa Whitehead, Asylum Liaison Officer from Cheshire East Council, said: “What can I say? What a fabulous night! Our lovely families had an absolute ball (as did I!) The Staff were all amazing. Thank you for making us so welcome and accommodating us the way you did – it was a night we won’t forget.”

Richard Stephenson-Evans from Care UK, said: “As the officer in charge of the support for the Afghan Veterans here in Cheshire East, I have come onsite this morning following the trip last night to some happy smiley faces, not just from the children but the adults also.

“This was the first time any of these families had been to a theatre and they have absolutely loved it. They have come from a terrible situation and were evacuated from Afghanistan immediately leaving possessions behind. By offering them an evening at your theatre has helped their mental health so much and we can’t thank you enough. On behalf of the Council and the families who attended we thank you for your support and a Happy New Year to you all.”