Speak Woman Speak (SWS) a Black and Brown female led theatre company based in Leeds, who have been delivering drama workshops with women in the local community since their inception in 2013. They have collaborated with organisations such as Together Women’s Project ( TWP) and Women Asylum Seekers together (WAST), Specifically we facilitate workshops that use Drama and Art activities that promote social inclusion, creative expression and promote well being.
We will use drama as a tool to promote wellbeing amongst Black and Brown women in Leeds who have experience with complex mental health conditions.
- The project aims to bridge the gap in mental health support by creating an inclusive space that welcomes individuals at any point along their mental health journey.
- By offering timely and culturally sensitive interventions, SWS aspires to foster a sense of community, promote well-being and provide a supportive platform for expression. This initiative aligns with the NHS long-term plan's urgent call to reduce health inequalities and prioritise culturally sensitive and personalised care (NHS, 2019).
- The grant will allow for 2 to 3 facilitators to run regular weekly community drama workshops in the Chapeltown area of Leeds, UK, in order to build up trust and provide a safe and brave space to participants.
- The workshops will cover Writing techniques, Storytelling, Devising, Improvisation, use of theatre of the oppressed techniques, grounding, meditation and song.
Aims and Objectives
● To create a sense of community
● To provide a space for self expression- share and discuss hopes and dreams, fears, any barriers the group face and how to overcome these barriers
● Skills Sharing
● Enhance self development and build confidence
● Investigate participants own spirituality and heritage
● Accessing help signposting to alternative services
- The group will be a space to promote joy amongst the women, providing a sense of community to alleviate the high levels of isolation associated with these mental health conditions.
- The money will allow us to offer a childcare provision and cover travel expenses for accessibility to the workshops
- We will also use the fund to provide therapy support ran by a black led service Evolving Minds