The collaboration between the National Children’s Bureau (NCB), the University of Kent and Chickenshed Theatre will continue after a summer break, with theatre workshops starting again in September.
This second round of workshops builds on the work started in May, continuing to prepare a series of monologues to be performed in early 2025. The production, exploring topics including mental health, children’s social care, insecure immigration status and more, is led and performed by disabled children and young people, and those with experience of social care or the immigration system.
The workshops are open to disabled children and young people (under 25 years old), those with experience of children’s social care and/or of the UK immigration system. Children and young people willing to join in from September are welcome to apply now using the form below.
Part of their ongoing Living Assessments project, NCB and the University of Kent have created Changing Narratives, a series of opportunities to encourage and empower children and young people with experience of children’s social care assessments to express their lived experience creatively. This has involved running an art competition and online art gallery, which is still open and accepting applications for its second theme. The project developed from discussions with experts by experience about the stigma they often face in society. The changing narratives project aims to provide an avenue for young people to celebrate their creativity and themselves as individuals.
The final monologues will be used as a learning resource for children, young people, families and professionals.
Chickenshed, an inclusive theatre company, has previously worked with NCB on a separate project, running workshops with young people living in supported accommodation.
If you or anyone you know would like to apply, please complete the form below. For any questions, please email [email protected].
The Living Assessments programme explores what is considered in social care assessments of children in need in England, including those who are disabled. It is made possible by a five-year investment by the Wellcome Trust in a collaboration between University of Cambridge, University of Kent and the National Children’s Bureau in conjunction with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children and the British Association of Social Workers.