Dear friends and allies!  

I’m writing at the chilly end of 2025 nearly the shortest day, and I usually get here wishing I had more time and energy to reflect on the triumphs of the year that we’ve just lived. Most years I’m swamped by the avalanche of emails and newsletters sharing the best bits from other companies, before I’ve even given myself the space to consider our own. So, today I’ve put my “out of office” on and I’m sitting quietly with my Christmas tree at home - feeling the gratitude and connection towards everyone who has worked with us, everyone who supported us as a funder or partner, and most of all to everyone who has taken part in a workshop or rehearsal process.  

In 2025 we again created a year-round participatory programme comprising 9 different projects taking place from Southampton to Scarborough to all-over online,  and from Shepherds Bush, to Redbridge, to Croydon in London.  We offered workshops for people living with dementia, including young onset dementia and their carers. We provided training for artists who want to know more about sensory work, and for care professionals seeking to embed creativity into their caring day.  

We engaged 27 freelances with some working on 6 of the projects, some freelances having been with us for more than 10 years, and some working with us for the very first time. It’s not always visible to the naked eye but there’s always something going, connections being made, something being learned at Spare Tyre.  

Alongside the participatory programme two new touring shows went into development: Vanishing Point (working title) our new sensory show about trains and travel was developed in partnership with the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough; and What Will Happen with the Cat? co-created by associate artist Lisa Muten and artistic director Rebecca Manson Jones supported by MAST studio Southampton, Hoxton Hall, the Albany and Just Jones & had a work in progress reading to an invited audience in April. We’re keen as mustard to get these on the road -  just as soon as we can muster the funding.  

The world has been a cruel place this year and I’m proud that we’ve taken time to stand up for what we think is important, actively and visibly opposing the proposed cuts to PIP and Access To Work, standing by members of the LGBTQ+ community, and making ethical decisions about how and from whom to take financial and other support. We’ve done our bit to support the arts sector speaking at best practice events run by ITC and the English Folk Society.   

During the year, we undertook a recruitment to expand the diversity of our freelance group and as we turn the page into next year, I’m very excited that we’ll be able to invite a few of the applicants back in early 2026 for a paid training session in our sensory practice.  Next year we're also looking at how we can take our lived experience and online practice further in creative sessions supporting people at the transition points of becoming carers and moving on from being carers.

We’re also starting work on an initiative called Emergent Leadership to explore what the next generation of participatory arts makers needs to equip them to step into leadership.  In parallel, our brilliant Board will be seeking to bring greater diversity of experience to our governance.  

At Spare Tyre we’re powered by the energy, creative curiosity and generosity of spirit we foster and encounter. LIke most people we thrive on connection and we often meet people for whom connection and ways to connect are made scarce. I’m tremendously grateful to everyone who has brought their whole-selves to energise our community this year and I’m excited about what we’ll do together with 2026.  

We’re all taking a bit of quiet time now to mark the end of the year and the movement of the planet in whatever way is meaningful for us. We wish all you peace, connection and fun and we’ll see you in the New Year.  

Best wishes 

Rebecca, Amanda, Rose and everyone at Spare Tyre.