About Scene & heard
Scene & Heard: Empowering Inner-City Children Through Theatre
Scene & Heard is a one-of-a-kind mentoring project that has been making a positive impact on the lives of inner-city children in Somers Town, London for over 20 years. The project partners these children with volunteer theatre professionals who help them develop their creativity, confidence, and communication skills through drama workshops and performances.
The Scene & Heard program was founded in 1999 by Pat Canavan, a former teacher who saw the potential of using theatre as a tool to empower disadvantaged children. Since then, the project has grown from strength to strength and has helped hundreds of young people in Somers Town discover their talents and reach their full potential.
What makes Scene & Heard unique is its approach to mentoring. Rather than providing traditional one-on-one support or group sessions, the project uses drama as a means of engaging with young people and helping them build relationships with adult mentors. This approach not only helps children develop important life skills but also provides them with an opportunity to express themselves creatively.
The Scene & Heard program runs throughout the year and consists of two main components: workshops and performances. During workshops, volunteer theatre professionals work closely with small groups of children aged between 9-11 years old to create original plays based on their own experiences and ideas. These plays are then performed by professional actors at local theatres in front of an audience made up of family members, friends, teachers, and community members.
Through this process, children learn valuable skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, public speaking while also gaining confidence in themselves as individuals. They are encouraged to explore different themes such as identity politics or social issues that affect them directly or indirectly.
Scene & Heard's success can be attributed to its dedicated team of volunteers who give up their time every week to work with these young people. The volunteers come from all walks of life but share a passion for theatre arts education and a desire to make a difference in the lives of children who may not have access to such opportunities otherwise.
The project has also received support from various organizations and individuals, including the National Lottery Community Fund, which awarded Scene & Heard a grant in 2019. This funding has enabled the project to expand its reach and provide more opportunities for young people in Somers Town.
In conclusion, Scene & Heard is an inspiring example of how theatre can be used as a tool for social change. By empowering inner-city children through drama workshops and performances, this unique mentoring project is helping young people develop important life skills while also providing them with an opportunity to express themselves creatively. If you are interested in volunteering or supporting this fantastic initiative, please visit their website or call 020 73889009 today!