"True Stories" is a play surrounding five London based young people experiencing a variety of issues over their 6 week summer holidays.
The aim of the project is to provide youths the opportunity to engage in purposeful creative workshops that focus around drama and mentoring . We recognise the therapeutic benefits of using drama by tailoring and personalising workshops to the individuals participating.
We entrust the support of specialist practitioners whose primary objectives are to unlock potential, observe growth and simulate feelings of achievement and success in the youths participating in our creative workshops.
PGS - Creative specialise in promoting students’ learning and emotional well-being through organising and facilitating the "True Stories" project in primary schools, secondary schools, youth groups and PRU's across London. We ensure all workshops that we deliver are specifically designed to cater for a diverse range of students from a variety of backgrounds.
What we'll deliver:
- Provide job opportunities for member of the local/wider community through a practitioner role on the project
- Provide young people from Croydon the opportunity to partake purposeful and meaningful activities
- Raise awareness and general understanding of sensitive issues that young people of today's generation encounter
Why it's a great idea:
"True Stories" is an innovative youth friendly initiative that is designed to be inclusive to cater to the various young people that live in socially deprived communities. There a range of benefits for the young people partaking in the project, such as;
- Help simulate feelings of achievement in the participants, as they afforded the opportunity to put on a showcase performance in front of key personnel in their lives (other students, parents and teachers) at the conclusions of the project.
- Discuss and receive mentoring on sensitive issues (domestic violence, family bereavement, drug addiction and underage relationships) in a safe and nurturing environment
- Prospective job opportunities for people that are from the local community who have an interest in working with young people through the arts.
- It has been proven to positively impact on the attainment/progress of disaffected young people who have participated in the initiative.
Steps to get it done:
- Audition young people for their roles and hand out relevant documentation
- Hold a meeting the selected school regarding facilitating the "True Stories Project"
- Conduct rehearsals and workshops for the young people over 4-8 weeks
- Final performance filmed and showcased to friends, family and fellow students
The "True Stories Project" is a totally youth-centered initiative that is typically embraced by the participants due to the fact that the content is very relatable to them. Through the testimonies and feedback that have been collated from previous projects it became evident that students develop a series of life skills through the project;
- Enhancement of performance discipline and the ability to stay in character throughout a performance.
- Develop of their communication skills
- The ability to use a variety of drama techniques, such as freeze framing, thought tracking and still imagery
- Increased understanding and knowledge of sensitive issues at the forefront of the play, which we distinguished from previous project can support them in dealing with them more effectively if they occur in the future.
We genuinely believe that through this project we can have significant impact on helping to transform the live chances of the young people within the local community. .
