STAGED REALITIES: A Forum Theatre Approach to Youth Criminal Diversionary Work

A reoccurring theme across publications pertaining to criminal activity is that localities, where there is high police demand have increased levels of deprivation and mental ill-health. Research across a range of fields including sociology, criminology and psychology have highlighted that limited access to amenities combined with persistent criminalisation, peer pressure and an innate need to belong are catalysts to defiance, lawlessness and mental ill-health. Whilst these discourses do report on the adverse societal and institutional experiences faced by young offenders, young people as agents of their own experience and the root causes of offending behaviours are often overlooked. The Cultural Connection’s Staged Realities methodology is an adaption of dramatist Augusto Boal’s Forum Theatre and encourages young people to become moral agents in scenarios relatable to their everyday lives.

End of Intervention Feedback:
When the students were asked which session interested them the most the students selected the Cultural Connection which received 80% of the student votes. It was clear from reading the student evaluations that not only was the content and delivery enjoyable, but it proved to be sobering aswell. The students were able to recognise the impact that bullying, knife crime and other lessons taught throughout the sessions would have on their lives. When I analysed the student comments all [146] of them, I must confess I have yet to witness impact like this from any external company invited to deliver content of this magnitude here at this school. The sessions were also quality assured by a HoD and his opinion of the session was that:
“Cultural Connection established rapport with the students immediately. This helped with relationship building. The outcomes of the sessions could only be positive from this point onward.” ALN – Head of Department
I went into the sessions on at least 4 different occasions and the atmosphere on each occasion was vibrant each time. – Head Teacher

STEPS 2 SUCCESS

Steps 2 Success is an interactive employability programme that is targeted towards young people and adults, who as a result of barriers and/or complex issues, are experiencing challenges with engaging in education, employment and/or training. The aim of this programme is to educate and provide practical experience that can be applied to daily life as well as education/employment/training. Thus, assisting participants to build emotional resilience, change limiting attitudes, develop and sustain positive relationships and become confident with clear insight into what goals they would like to achieve. These outcomes are achieved, through the Cultural Connection’s experienced facilitators, using specialist skills to deliver workshops/sessions that empower participantss to identify their strengths and become autonomous individuals who are equipped with the mindset and competencies required to engage in education, employment and/or training.

End of Programme Feedback:
“I have anxiety and the workshops helped me come out of my comfort zone and open up more” KA
“They gave me information that will help me in the future” LS
“The workshops have helped me understand how important my business choices are” KM

“They made us feel welcome and they’ve made me understand the importance of business and how mortgages, limited company and rent all work” GF

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