A TALENTED Saltash performing arts student has been awarded a £300 grant to support her next step towards a professional career in musical theatre.

Seren Davis is one of two local recipients announced in the latest round of funding from the Sue Hooper Charitable Foundation, which has been supporting creative talent and public education across Saltash and Cornwall for 25 years.

Seren will relocate to the prestigious Emil Dale Academy in September to begin a BTEC in Performing Arts after securing one of just 57 places available.

She beat hundreds of hopefuls during a highly competitive audition process to earn her place at the academy.

The £300 grant comes after a hugely successful year for Seren, who recently starred as Princess Fiona in a production of Shrek with Plymouth Performing Arts Academy.

Her recent achievements also include gaining a distinction in her ISTD Intermediate Modern dance examination, performing alongside West End star Kerry Ellis on tour and qualifying for the All England Dance Regionals in Cheltenham.

Theresa Stevens, Rose Edwards (lead volunteer for Saltash Memory Box) and Sue Hooper MBE (chair of the Sue Hooper Charitable Foundation)
Theresa Stevens, Rose Edwards (lead volunteer for Saltash Memory Box) and Sue Hooper MBE (chair of the Sue Hooper Charitable Foundation) (Submitted)

The latest funding round also includes a £200 grant for Saltash Memory Box to support its specialised singing workshops.

The sessions provide therapeutic comfort for local residents living with dementia and related neurological conditions.

The community group uses the funding to employ professional singing facilitator and qualified music therapist Theresa Stevens, who leads the highly regarded workshops.

The Sue Hooper Charitable Foundation recently celebrated its silver jubilee and has distributed thousands of pounds to individuals and arts groups across Saltash and Cornwall since its creation.

The foundation said it was proud to have supported recipients over the years and highlighted the wider benefits its grants can bring to the community.

“We feel honoured to have contributed to making a difference in their lives, and to see the positive knock-on effect this funding has on the wider community,” the spokesperson said.