It Takes a Village…

Anyone who knows me knows that being a mother is one of the most wonderful things in my life! The day I gave birth to Nicholas my life was changed forever for the better. Nicholas is my world. And from the moment I came back to work as an actor, he has been with me. The memory of my little 3 year old being sat in the wardrobe at The National Theatre during the Light Princess watching the show on the screen, being allowed to come into the rehearsal room with me and following my dresser around during the show because I was struggling to find childcare, will stay with me forever. I have been so blessed with the companies that I have worked with over the years and the friends who have entered our lives. The village has ALWAYS been strong and showed up in times of need. Thank you to those close and extended friends that have looked after him when I had no one to leave him with. Thank you to those of you that have helped with homework, had him for sleepovers, welcomed him into your dressing rooms, checked in on us and have shown love. I appreciate each and EVERY one of you. Whenever I receive a compliment about how lovely he is growing to be, how confident, articulate and kind he is, I KNOW that I cannot accept all the praise for who is becoming as a young man. My village is such a rich tapestry of diversity and representation. He sees so many examples of adults younger and older living their authentic lives, working hard but most importantly being kind. It all impacts and influences who he is. He is mine, but in reality he is product of all of US and you share in who he is and who he is becoming.

Many of you have supported me emotionally in many a difficult time and have filled my life with so much joy and hope, allowing me to be a better mum for Nicholas. This is embarrassing. It is exposing. It is scary. But it’s the truth of our situation and so I put fear and shame to one side to ask for your help. I have created this fundraiser because it has become a challenge for me financially to keep Nicholas at the school he is in. Nicholas worked hard with my support to apply to private secondary school in year 7. He passed the qualifying exam and was awarded with a drama scholarship and a bursary. However, there is still a short fall and although I have tried my best I haven’t been able to cover his fees over the past few months as my finances have taken a hit due to separation from my partner and working in an industry that is creatively fulfilling but unfortunately not financially so. Although it may look glamorous and there is a narrative that performers are paid highly, the reality is that it’s really hard to support a family on a West End wage. Especially as a single parent.

I am now reaching out to you to ask for your support. Nicholas loves his school. He loves his friends and it creates an environment where he can thrive, be safe and access opportunities that he cannot elsewhere. It has been a constant in a time of a lot of change for us. He has recently chosen his GCSE’s which includes Japanese, a subject and culture he adores and hopes to utilise in his future and would not be able to study at many other schools. It is a difficult time to consider moving him and since leaving my last show I have applied for numerous jobs and I believe something IS coming. But until my income stabilises, his place at school is at risk if I am unable to cover the cost of his fees. So I am reaching out to you, our village to ask for any support you can give. I understand and appreciate that times are hard for us all and that you may not be able to help, but if you can, anything you can contribute would be a blessing.

I love you all. Thank you for being a part of our village. Malinda (and Nic) xo