Saltmine Trust

What Saltmine Trust does

Saltmine Trust is a UK Christian charity (No. 1038007) and private limited company (No. 2930528) founded in 1980 and headquartered at 61 The Broadway, Dudley, West Midlands. Operating with a core team of 12 staff supported by freelance actors, technicians, interns and a nationwide volunteer host network, it is one of the longest-running faith-motivated touring theatre companies in the UK, claiming 40+ years of continuous operation. The organisation runs three interconnected production lines: Theatre in Education (TIE) productions touring UK schools at Key Stage 1-4 covering safeguarding and curriculum topics (knife crime via Switch Up, mental health via Ignite, online safety via Blast Off, bullying via Dreamkeepers, domestic abuse via Faultlines, social media safety via Filters, extremism via In Their Shoes); missional theatre and national tours for churches and faith communities (including The Liberator and Rhyming Bible); and seasonal Christmas productions plus large-scale community Passion Plays staged in partnership with local churches and councils across cities including Birmingham, Norwich, Stafford, Dudley, Hereford and Wilmslow.

The business model is hybrid and event-driven, combining fee-based performance bookings (£830-£1,495 per show plus travel, subsidised by at least 30% via donor support), commissioned bespoke productions for organisations such as the Home Office, West Midlands Police, YMCA, Mothers Union, Derby City Council and Arab World Ministries, a year-long internship programme (£2,000 donation plus £150/month accommodation contribution), donations and corporate partnerships, and a single digital rental product (Hark! A Nativity Story on Vimeo at £4.99). Customer segments span primary and secondary schools, churches and faith organisations, local councils, charities and NGOs. Distribution is direct via phone (01384 454 800) and email, supplemented by a UK-wide volunteer host network, partner referral through churches and school networks, and a basic digital presence (MailChimp newsletters, Vimeo for video, Enthuse for donations). No proprietary technology platform is built or operated by Saltmine itself; the underlying technology stack consists of standard third-party services.

Commercially, the charity is regulated by the Fundraising Regulator and registered with the Charity Commission. It operates with no disclosed parent company, no external equity investment, and no public listing. Leadership transitioned from Rachael Orrell to Martin Young as CEO in May 2026, with governance provided by a Board of Trustees chaired by Dan Parkes (CEO of The Mercian Trust).

Name

Saltmine Trust

Legal name

Saltmine Trust

Website

https://saltminetrust.org.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Saltmine Trust is a UK Christian charity and theatre company founded in 1980 that delivers touring Theatre in Education productions for schools, missional theatre for churches, seasonal Christmas shows and large-scale community Passion Plays across the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Theatre / Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE)

Keywords

• Educational theatre productions
• Faith-based performing arts
• School touring theatre
• Community passion plays
• Safeguarding drama workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Dudley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Performance Fees: Revenue from booking theatrical performances at schools, churches, and venues. Pricing varies by production type and includes base fees plus travel costs.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The charity relies on donations from individuals, churches, and organisations. They accept one-time donations, monthly giving, and legacy gifts through wills.
3. Internship Programme: Interns pay a £2000 donation and £150 per month accommodation contribution in exchange for a year-long faith, growth and theatre internship programme.
4. Commissioned Productions: Custom theatre productions commissioned by organisations including councils, police, and charities such as YMCA, Mothers Union, and Derby City Council.
5. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate giving programme where businesses support the organisation financially in exchange for community impact involvement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Saltmine Trust is a Christian charity and theatre company that produces and tours faith-motivated theatrical productions to schools, churches, and community organisations across the UK. Its core offerings include Theatre in Education (TIE) programmes for Key Stage 1–4 pupils covering safeguarding topics (knife crime, online safety, mental health, bullying, domestic abuse), missional theatre and national tours for churches, Christmas productions, and large-scale community Passion Plays. The organisation also offers a year-long acting and technician internship programme and a bespoke commissioning service for custom productions.

Product overview

Saltmine Trust operates as a Christian charity and theatre company offering faith-motivated arts and educational theatre. The portfolio consists of three interconnected offerings: Theatre in Education (TIE) productions for schools covering safeguarding topics; Missional Theatre and National Tours for churches and communities; and seasonal Christmas/Passion Play productions. Key products include Switch Up (knife crime prevention), Ignite (mental health), Blast Off (online safety), Dreamkeepers (anti-bullying), Faultlines (domestic abuse awareness), Filters (social media safety), and The Liberator (gospel production). The company also offers internship programmes for aspiring actors and technicians, and a bespoke commissioning service for custom productions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Theatre in Education (TIE) School touring productions and workshops for Key Stage 1-4 addressing topics including online safety, knife crime, mental health, bullying, and domestic abuse. Accompanied by interactive workshops tailored to curriculum requirements.
• Missional Theatre and National Tours Professional theatre productions for churches and communities that tell stories with Christian messages. Includes productions like The Liberator, a retelling of the life and teaching of Jesus.
• Christmas Productions Christmas-themed theatrical productions including Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, and Treasure Island with faith-based messages performed at churches and venues during the Christmas season.
• Passion Plays Large-scale community outdoor performances depicting the last days, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Produced in partnership with local churches and communities in cities including Birmingham, Norwich, Stafford, Dudley, Hereford, and Wilmslow.
• Acting and Technician Internships Year-long internship programme for 18+ individuals providing training in theatre performance and technical production, running from September. Includes acting and technical tracks with accommodation support and fundraising requirements.
• Commission a Show Bespoke production development service for organisations, councils, and charities needing custom educational programmes or storytelling productions.
• Fund a Show Sponsorship programme allowing individuals, organisations, and churches to fund performances for schools and communities they wish to bless.
• Switch Up Theatre in Education production for KS3 & 4 focusing on knife crime, gang violence, county lines, and joint enterprise. Features a thought-provoking show and workshop programme.
• Ignite Dynamic production focusing on young people's mental health, addressing anxiety, depression, resilience, self-worth, and exam stress. Includes toolkit for promoting positive wellbeing.
• Blast Off Online safety production and workshop for KS1 and KS2 using space exploration analogy. Covers cyberbullying, grooming, inappropriate content, and the 'Space Code' for safe internet use.
• Dreamkeepers Production exploring bullying, positive relationships, and mental wellbeing using puppetry, masks, and music. Accompanied by a dream-empowering workshop for KS1 & KS2.
• Faultlines Educational production addressing domestic abuse for KS3 & 4, examining unhealthy dynamics including lovebombing, gaslighting, and coercive control through survivor voices.
• Filters Preventative education production for KS3 & 4 focusing on social media use, sexual harassment, consent, cyberbullying, AI, and pornography.
• The Liberator Passionate retelling of the life and teaching of Jesus, inspired by Rob Lacey's work and reimagined by Richard Hasnip. A modern gospel production for adults, students, and secondary-aged youth.
• Rhyming Bible Musical adaptation of Bob Hartman's Rhyming Bible taking audiences from creation to resurrection through angel characters at Angelus High school.
• Jack and the Beanstalk (Christmas) Christmas retelling of the classic fairytale reminding audiences about where true strength is found to overcome fears. Message: Don't fear, God's here.
• Cinderella (Christmas) Sparkling reimagining of the classic fairytale with talking mice, wicked plots, and a hopeful heroine. Message: Choose Kindness.
• Treasure Island (Christmas) New Christmas production following Jemimah Hawkins on a quest for treasure involving pirates, greed, and deceit.
• Hark! A Nativity Story Online film production retelling the Nativity story through Apprentice Angels, a Shepherd, and a disguised king searching for a special baby. Available as a 72-hour rental on Vimeo for £4.99.
• In Their Shoes Production celebrating unity in diversity and exploring extremism issues, written and produced with multi-faith partners. Features Spots and Stripes characters learning to understand neighbours.

Quantifiable outcome

• Local knife crime statistics decreased in areas where Switch Up was performed, credited by West Midlands Police
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Give As You LiveminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Give As You Live partner allowing supporters to raise donations for Saltmine while shopping online. Brands donate a portion of profits directly to the charity at no extra cost to shoppers.
• Show JesusminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Show Jesus is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation supporting churches with outdoor mission equipment (marquees, gazebos) for The Hereford Passion Play 2025.
• Dudley CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership with Dudley Council for The Dudley Passion Play 2024. Council supported the production with funding and community engagement. 100 volunteers and 1000 audience members participated.
• Dudley CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Dudley College provided venue (Evolve Theatre) for The Dudley Passion Play 2024, hosting performances as part of the community event.
• Love StaffordcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership with Love Stafford for The Stafford Passion Play 2023. Love Stafford championed the production, with over 100 volunteers and 3000 audience members participating. The partnership demonstrates community collaboration between faith organisations and local mission initiatives.
• Celebrate NorfolkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership with Celebrate Norfolk for The Norwich Passion Play 2022. Captivated over 1,400 spectators with community cast, stewards, and musicians joining Saltmine's professional actors.
• Passion TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Passion Trust supports Saltmine's Passion Play productions. The Birmingham Passion Play 2019 raised £80,000 with Passion Trust's support. Passion Trust provides expertise and resources for large-scale Passion Play productions.
• YMCAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019YMCA commissioned Saltmine to create a filmed piece of live theatre ('Soul in the Machine'). Described as 'the most inspiring piece of YMCA history'. Also worked with YMCA Scotland.
• Mothers UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Commissioned Saltmine to create the 'Chosen' production about Mary Sumner and Mothers' Union history. Organisation has over 4 million members in 80+ countries.
• Derby City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Commissioned a secondary school production and workshop on knife crime for their educational safeguarding programme.
• West Midlands PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Commissioned Virtual Reality filming project and credited Saltmine for contributing to local knife crime reduction. West Midlands Police recommend Switch Up production to schools.
• Arab World MinistriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Joint production of 'Between The Lines' - a theatre piece about three people bringing hope to the Arab world, combining Saltmine's theatre expertise with AWM's mission.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Birmingham Repertory Theatre: Larger producing theatre based in the West Midlands operating a significant Learning and Participation / schools programme. Saltmine's Co-Artistic Director Ben Kessell and freelance director Caroline have worked there, evidencing overlapping talent pipelines; it represents an established, broader-scope incumbent rather than a niche competitor.
• Royal Shakespeare Company: National flagship producing theatre with a substantial Learning department offering schools workshops, touring, and curriculum-linked performances. Caroline has directed for RSC. While not a direct competitor in faith-based TIE, its scale, donor base, and school-tour footprint set the bar Saltmine must clear to win institutional commissions.

Direct peers

• Chapterhouse Theatre Company: UK-based touring theatre company producing family, classical, and seasonal productions for churches, cathedrals, and outdoor venues. Directly comparable delivery model (touring to host venues and faith-based audiences) with a similar production library of family-friendly titles such as Christmas shows.
• Big Brum Theatre in Education: Birmingham-based Theatre in Education company producing touring programmes for schools on social and safeguarding topics. Geographic and product overlap is high (both target UK schools with TIE productions), making it one of the closest direct competitors in Saltmine's home West Midlands market.
• Theatre Centre: London-based educational theatre company producing Theatre in Education programmes for young people on contemporary social issues. Directly comparable product model (safeguarding and character-education touring shows to secondary schools) with potentially larger commissioning reach.
• M6 Theatre Company: Manchester-based Theatre in Education company delivering devised theatre and workshops to schools across the North West. Comparable size, mission, and product model (curriculum-linked touring productions), representing regional competition for school-booked TIE tours.
• Riding Lights Theatre Company: York-based Christian touring theatre company producing both missional church theatre and Theatre in Education programmes for schools. Has a very similar UK touring model, faith-motivated mission, and combination of school/church audiences; Saltmine staff (e.g., Emily Thompson) have previously worked there, confirming direct overlap.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Saltminetrust
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgCHwesB-p1Y2bCo00tANwg
• Facebookfacebook.com/Saltminetrust
• Instagraminstagram.com/Saltminetrust
• TikToktiktok.com/@saltminetrust?
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saltmine-trust

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Saltmine Trust