The sessions were overseen by Julia, CFD staff and led by Tom and Dillon (Derby Theatre) both of whom were instrumental with involving the young people to ensure they were at the centre of choosing the script and feeling comfortable in their roles.
Over the first weeks, young people appeared nervous and school and home forewarned staff of bad moods and meltdowns. However, young people soon relaxed once the activities were introduced and behaved appropriately throughout the session, showed no signs of distress and friendships developed over the course of the months.
The drama sessions provided a non-judgemental safe space where young people felt comfortable to socialise and connect with each other and all contributed in their own personal way – sharing ideas, roleplaying or encouraging each other during the activities.
“Absolutely fantastic! It was their ideas so, to be able to learn it and bring that to life at an event like this, they should be proud. They did themselves proud, and us”
Dillon and Tom Derby Theatre
“I thoroughly enjoyed supporting our young people. It was good to see neurodiversity accepted and embraced within the group and the repeated words of “I can’t” evolved into blossoming self-belief over the weeks. The developed self-esteem and confidence of the young people were demonstrated at the performance.
Julia CFD