TYPE OF WORK
Theatre and drama for development

TARGET GROUPS

• Offending behaviour based work with juvenile and adult offenders in prisons and the community
• Programme development work with staff working with juvenile and adult offenders
• Empowerment and advocacy work with young people in local authority care, children with emotional and behavioural problems in 'special' school settings, and people living in 'supported housing'

GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT
UK, North America, Central and Eastern Europe

COMPANY POLICY
To further the education and welfare of socially disadvantaged people of all ages including those in the criminal justice system and those under the auspices of the social services, through the provision of participatory drama and theatre related activities.

To advise, educate and train staff in the relevant agencies in the necessary skills to develop and maintain the use of these artforms in a variety of environments.

SCALE OF PROJECTS
Number of practitioners: 1-4
Number of participants:  3-500
Preparation time: 1 day - 2 months
Contact time: half day - 3 years

PERMANENT STAFF
Saul Hewish, Director

Care for Me (UK, 1999)
A theatre project with a small group of young women aged 14–20 who were ‘looked after’ by Solihull Social Services, and social workers running a ‘preparation for independent living group’.

Aims: To facilitate a consultation process with young people living in and leaving care. To assist social services staff in the development of new policy and procedures preparing young people for the transition from being ‘looked after’ to living independently.

Outcomes: Participants devised and performed a play to an audience that included social services staff, local councillors, and staff from related agencies. This play was subsequently used as the basis for an action plan to develop policy and practice.

The Star Programme (UK 1999–2003)
A drama based offending behaviour groupwork programme delivered by Stoke-on-Trent Youth Offending Team (YOT) staff for use with offenders aged 13–18. A YOT is a multi-agency team consisting of staff from social services, probation, police, health, education and careers agencies.

Aims: To reduce offending by ‘persistent young offenders’ through the development and provision of a drama-based groupwork programme. To train staff in Stoke-on-Trent’s multidisciplinary YOT to deliver this programme within the community on a regular basis.

Outcomes: Approximately 15 YOT staff have been trained to run the programme. It has been effective in improving family relationships, social skills, problem solving skills, ability to work in a group setting, attendance at new pro-social activities, increased confidence, increased self worth and self esteem. Follow-up evaluation of those completing the programme indicated a 55% reduction in the number of crimes committed.

Street Fight
An interactive DVD digital video project examining the effects of violence on victims with juvenile offenders. (Stoke-on-Trent, UK, summer 2003)

Life Skilled
Confidence building drama workshops for tenants of Carr Gomm supported housing association. (London/Birmingham/Bristol/UK, throughout 2003)