We are proud to be a community hub for Merton. A place where children can connect with their family, peers and the wider world around them. Polka provides an inclusive place to create, share your voice and enjoy activities close to home.
Members of our diverse local community are invited to participate and experience live theatre, through creative projects, both on and off site, and our Polka Invites membership scheme that enable access to new audiences. Polka’s workshops, including storytelling sessions, puppet making and devised plays, are delivered in a variety of settings including Children’s Centres, libraries, community centres, church halls and temporary accommodation for families.
If you would like your community organisation to get involved or would like information about how to refer a family onto Polka Invites, please contact our Community team by 📧 email
Upcoming Community Events
Canons House, Mitcham
When: Wednesday 30 July
Where: Canons House, Mitcham
Who: 10 – 11am for ages 4-8
11.30am – 1pm ages 9-12
You are invited to take part in a fun and exciting workshop with Polka Theatre! Come to explore the world of our new summer show The Boy with Wings, a story that talks about superpowers, having courage, making friends and celebrates being different. Join us at Canons House to play games and creative activities! Book here.
Story Garden at Pollards Hill Library
When: Tuesday 5 August
Where: Pollards Hill Library
Who: 10 – 11am for ages 4-8. Book here
11.30am – 1pm ages 9-12. Book here.
Step into a world where stories come alive and the outdoors sparks your imagination! Designed to inspire children to take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, Polka Theatre’s interactive drama workshop blends reading, storytelling, and nature in playful and creative ways. With games, imaginative activities, and tales curated to celebrate the wonders of the great outdoors, this is the perfect chance for young minds to explore, create, and let their imaginations run wild
Community in the Clore
Every Thursday morning between 11am and 12.30pm, our Clore Learning Studio is available for free use.
You could host a Stay and Play, training or guest speaker event. Please contact Chusi to discuss the needs of your group.
Community Workshops
Looking for a Community workshop to inspire and engage your group of children and young people? Whether that’s at your Community venue or at Polka Theatre, our expert team of actors, directors, storytellers and puppeteers can create a tailor-made workshop just for you.
We work with a wide range of organisations delivering workshops locally and across London. These organisations include but are not limited to Merton Children’s Centres, Merton and Wandsworth Sensory Support Services, Commonside Community Development Trust, with families living in temporary accommodation, HAF groups, local library services in Merton and Sutton and The British Library.
We can work with groups of up to 30 participants per workshop and will work with you to support the group’s needs as appropriate.
If you would like to book a community workshop, or if you have any further questions and would like to discuss the needs of your group, please contact our community team using the button below.
‘I loved it. It was very fun and interactive!’– Workshop participant
‘Today was just lovely. The children and parents had a fantastic time. It was magical!’– Community Co-ordinator
Community Projects
‘Tidy’ Community Project
On Saturday 16 March we held a community day in Wandle Park, Colliers Wood inspired by our Spring 2024 production Tidy. With local artist Tim Norris, a willow sculpture was made of Tidy’s lead character, Pete the Badger, which families were invited to help weave. As well as this, free activities such as pebble painting, mask making, litter picking and an eco-tail were offered. A special thank you to Groundwork London, who where able to offer a bat box building workshop at the event. Approximately 600 people took part in various aspect of the event across the day.
“Nothing other than amazing. Perfect for the family. The children enjoyed it so much and so nice to include nature. The activities were plenty and for all ages too. We still have our rocks displayed in the garden. The staff were friendly and worked incredibly hard for us to enjoy, so thank you from us.”
‘Let’s Build!’ Community project
In March 2023 children from Abbey Pre-School, South Wimbledon, and Acacia Pre-School, Mitcham, took part in Polka’s community project, inspired by ‘Let’s Build!’ You can read all about the community project here.
‘The workshop was very interactive. My son enjoyed himself. He was able to be his confident self.’– Parent