Imagine a world where you weren’t judged by someone within seconds of them meeting you.
Where someone takes the time to listen to you, your experience, and how that’s shaped who you are today. Where you can speak your truth, and that truth drives the change that you think needs to happen in the world.
Speak Your Truth: Foster Care is coming to Mansfield. And this is the chance for care experienced children and young people to have their voice heard and shape the change they want to see.
Speak Your Truth is a creative holiday club taking place over Easter for looked after children and young people. They will be producing their own short film, using the drama, creative writing and film making skills they will learn. Mansfield District Council’s Cultural Services team are proud to have been chosen as the host venue and a delivery partner by Nottinghamshire County Council, with additional funding from The Mighty Creatives’ Creative Communities fund.
Cllr Stuart Richardson, Portfolio Holder for Health and Communities tells us:
“Mansfield District Council is extremely proud to be involved in this project to support looked after young people in our district and beyond and give them a voice. Every young person has the potential to become whoever they choose to be and we want to nurture and encourage that through projects like this one during the Easter holidays. By supporting the emotional and mental health of Nottinghamshire’s youngsters now, we are equipping them for the life choices that lay ahead and their future development.”
Warts and All Theatre are one of the most recognised young people’s theatre companies in the Midlands so it was only right that they lead on the project with their Artistic Director plus industry mentors and RYG Films. Warts and All’s ultimate belief is that “everyone should be given the chance to speak their truth, enabling a society where everyone belongs, and communities can thrive.” The company’s values and aspirations align perfectly with those of the district council, with a spokesperson telling us:
“By co-creating theatre that provokes and entertains, Warts and All challenge perceptions of young people and the art they can create. They believe that theatre created with young people can drive positive social change, breaking down barriers and ending social stigma.”
Not only will this scheme give youngsters a safe space to express their feelings and meet people in the same situation as them, it will also help to build their confidence, social and life skills, giving them the tools to form and maintain positive relationships long after the school holidays have finished.
The sessions take place from 4-7 April and 11-14 April at Mansfield Palace Theatre. Daily transport to and from the venue, as well as a meal each day, are provided to further support the health and lifestyle development of those on the programme.
If you are a looked after young person or support young people in care through your work, please contact Sian Booth on sbooth@mansfield.gov.uk or 01623 463004 to register your interest and find out more.