Children from our Woodside, Windhill, Manningham, Keighley and Canterbury hubs were treated to an unforgettable afternoon at Bradford Live, where they enjoyed the festive spectacular Elf The Musical on 22nd December 2025. For many, it was their first time in a major live performance venue — as one young person said, “I loved it so much. I’ve never been anywhere like this before”.

Laughter filled the auditorium as music, colour and storytelling brought the Christmas spirit to life. One child summed up the joy perfectly: “The Elf was so funny, I could hardly breathe it made me laugh that much”! Another child left so inspired by what she’d seen on stage: “The show was AMAZING! I want to learn to sing like that one day!!”

David, a member of the OIAM staff team, shared: “It was an incredible experience for our children and young people. They were both excited and anxious, as most of them had never been to a theatre before — let alone a 4,000+ arena like the spectacular Bradford Live. Such a threshold experience is extra special, particularly at this time of year when many households are experiencing huge financial pressures. The impact should not be underestimated… It’s a stark reminder of why we do what we do and who we do it for — a massive thank you!”.

Beyond the spectacle, this experience offered something deeper: a sense of belonging, wonder, and celebration. For some, it even unlocked new dreams — “I had the best time! I would love to be on stage like that one day”. And for another, it was simply a moment of gratitude: “I’m so thankful I got the chance to come to this, thank you for inviting me”.

We are deeply grateful to Life Church Bradford and their anonymous donor for making this experience possible. Their generosity ensured that children who may not otherwise have access to live theatre could enjoy the magic of Christmas in a truly special setting.

Moments like these sit at the heart of what One In A Million exists to do: creating safe, inspiring spaces, opening doors to new experiences, and reminding children and young people — especially those facing disadvantage — that they are full of potential and worth celebrating. Thank you.