Personal development for peer groups (UK, 2001– ongoing)
Aims: To provide opportunities for peer-group members to gain insight and understanding into their lives and about their communities.
Groups include 16 to 18-year-old students, youth forums, mental health service users/providers, people with learning difficulties, rural and disadvantaged communities, homeless people, elders, ethnic minorities, young offenders, people involved in substance abuse, indigenous peoples and minority language groups.
Outcomes: Improved confidence and self-esteem; improved relationships between peers and between pupils and teachers; increased awareness and sensitivity towards issues such as bullying, equality and cultural diversity; recognition of personal damaging patterns of behaviour and thinking; recognition of the consequences of damaging behaviour in relationships; increased emotional literacy. Rehearsal for Reality (UK, 2001–04)
Aims: To train diverse community groups and organisations throughout Wales in forum theatre techniques in order to investigate and improve practice and policy and to communicate with policy makers their suggestions for legislative change.
Outcomes: An annual event entitled Agora, ‘An Experiment in Creative Democracy’, brings the groups together with decision-makers to explore and develop policy proposals through theatre. These are then documented and disseminated to all Welsh Assembly Members, MPs and MEPs with an invitation to ‘champion’ a proposal.
Partners: Age Concern, County Youth Services, Mental Health Service user groups, equal opportunities groups, a black youth network, Menter Iaith (Welsh Language Promotion), Stonewall Cymru, probation services, schools, supported housing organisations, a community council, groups with learning difficulties and a homelessness project.
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