A Stage for Everyone
HIT’s outreach work includes working with local schools and organisations in delivering a range of inclusive and creative projects.
Speech Bubbles
What is Speech Bubbles?
Anywhere between 3 and 15 children in every KS1 class will have a communication need that is affecting their learning, their enjoyment of school and their socialisation.
Speech Bubbles is a primary school drama intervention supporting children’s communication skills, confidence and wellbeing. The programme has been developed by London Bubble Theatre Company, alongside Speech and Language Therapists and schools since 2007.
Herts Inclusive Theatre is partnering with Speech Bubbles to deliver the programme to primary schools across Hertfordshire.
How does it work?
A Speech Bubbles session will be held part way through the school day and will typically include around 10 students from Key Stage 1. In a day, Herts Inclusive Theatre will deliver two of these sessions, reaching a total of 20 students, chosen by their teachers or SENDCO.
A session will last for around an hour. In this time, students will participate in games designed to promote communication. They may spend time working on drama activities that revolve around story, and soon students will be sharing their own stories and acting them out for the group.
After the session, an evaluation will be held with a teacher and the practitioner from Herts Inclusive Theatre.
CPD Training
Alongside the sessions for KS1, HIT delivers free CPD training. This training aims to help staff understand how Speech Bubbles uses drama and storytelling to improve communication, giving teachers and teaching assistants several resources they can implement in their classrooms.
Testimonials
Herts Inclusive Theatre has been running Speech Bubbles in partnership with London Bubble since September 2023.
“I have noticed a lot of progress from students inside the classroom and beyond… [Child 1] has been engaging more in class and using his voice to talk to adults, he would never speak to us before Speech Bubbles. [Child 2] used to be very quiet and let everyone take control, she is now using her voice more and deciding what she wants to do.” (Teacher, Coates Way, 2024)
“The participants grew in confidence across the two terms, showing more comfort in taking creative risks and voicing their ideas and answers as well as an evident increase in enthusiasm towards having their own stories told once they had seen them in action. They have shown increased instances of team-work and/or supporting their peers in various ways.” (HIT drama practitioner, The Grove Academy, 2024)
Read more testimonials in this blog post: Feedback From Schools: Is Speech Bubbles Making A Difference?
How to book Speech Bubbles for your school
We are currently taking bookings for the next academic year. If you would like more information or for HIT to deliver Speech Bubbles in your school from September 2024, please contact our Community Engagement Manager, Kasia Truefitt: kasia@hit-theatre.org.uk or speak to her by calling our main office on 01727 221414
Commissioned Projects
HIT are excited to be partnering with a number of councils and organisations this year on delivering projects in and around Hertfordshire. These projects aim to increase confidence and wellbeing through activities within the arts.
Colourful Minds
What is Colourful Minds?
Colourful Minds is a project developed in partnership with Dacorum Borough Council that has been running since 2018. Colourful Minds is a 16 or 24-week course consisting of weekly 2-hour art sessions to help those with mild to moderate conditions affecting mental wellbeing such as stress, anxiety and depression. Colourful Minds can be run in person and/or online for participants.
What is the aim of the course?
The aim of the course is to provide a therapeutic and creative experience to support mental health and wellbeing through creative art techniques.
Outcomes:
- Participants have improved emotional wellbeing
- Participants have increased resilience and feel able to cope with issues affecting them
- Participants feel less isolated
When is Colourful Minds running?
Colourful Minds is currently not running, but we hope it will be back soon.
To find out when Colourful Minds will be back, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or sign up to our newsletter.
Testimonial
“The art is a freeing of the minds constraints, nobody is judged no matter the level of what you create, its releasing and so much more.” – Participant
How to get in touch
For enquiries about the course or taster sessions, please contact our Community Engagement Manager, Kasia Truefitt: kasia@hit-theatre.org.uk or speak to her by calling our main office on 01727 221414
Wednesday Night Project
What is Wednesday Night Project?
Herts Inclusive Theatre works in partnership with Clarion Futures, Leecliffe Big Local and Herts Sport and Physical Activity Partnership to deliver a weekly inclusive drama project that focuses on developing participants’ skills of dance, drama, and design.
These sessions are participant-led and work towards a final performance.
Who can attend Wednesday Night Project?
Wednesday Night Project is suitable for ages 10-18 year-olds. It’s a great opportunity for year-six students to prepare for the transition into secondary school.
Sessions are designed to be inclusive and accessible to all. Please contact kasia@hit-theatre.org.uk if you have any queries regarding accessibility.
When do Wednesday Night Project sessions run?
Wednesday Night Project runs every for 10 weeks, starting on October 2nd 2024 from 6pm-8pm.
The first session on October 2nd 2024 is a free taster for all.
Where is Wednesday Night Project held?
Wednesday Night Project is held at Hertswood Academy, Cowley Hill, Borehamwood, WD6 5LG.
How can I book my place?
Wednesday Night Project is completely free for all to attend.
Please contact our Community Engagement Manager, Kasia Truefitt: kasia@hit-theatre.org.uk or speak to her by calling our main office on 01727 221414
South Mill Arts Workshop
What are these workshops?
Herts Inclusive Theatre are running two workshops at South Mill Arts for 10-18 year-olds.
These workshops will include drama games, creative activities, and some devised script work. The workshops are open to all abilities and levels and will be a great introduction to drama techniques.
When are the workshops?
There are currently two upcoming workshops:
- Wednesday 7th August: 3pm-5pm
- Thursday 31st October: 3pm-5pm
Where are the workshops taking place?
These sessions will take place at South Mill Arts, 1-3 South Rd, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 3JG.
How much are the workshops?
These workshops are £10 per participant.
How can I book this workshop?
How to get in touch
For enquiries about the workshops, please contact our Community Engagement Manager, Kasia Truefitt: kasia@hit-theatre.org.uk or speak to her by calling our main office on 01727 221414d