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.
*We are also starting a pilot project to adapt the Speech Bubbles program for SEND schools in Hertfordshire. Stay tuned for the results of this pilot*
Please get in touch with us if you would like to look at implementing this at your school!
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 SENCO.
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
“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 here:
https://www.speechbubbles.org.uk/blog-posts/speech-bubbles-from-the-school-staff-view-podcast
How to book Speech Bubbles for your school
We are always taking inquiries from primary schools to either start the programme in September or January If you would like more information or for HIT to deliver Speech Bubbles in your school 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
Springboard
What is Springboard?
Herts Inclusive Theatre delivers workshops in conjunction with Springboard at North Hertfordshire College to help those who may be dealing with low self-esteem, confidence, school refusal or social anxiety and those on the autistic spectrum gain the skills necessary to make the transition into employment smoother. Through learning drama skills, Springboard aims to instil better self-confidence and communication skills.
These sessions are currently run in both Watford and Letchworth.
How to get in touch
For further information, 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
Community Projects
At HIT, we create bespoke workshops and projects to suit different groups from Early Years to Elderly, to support with building confidence, wellbeing and making the arts inclusive to everyone.
HIT are excited to be partnering with a number of councils and organisations 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 that has been running since 2018. It 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 running again from January 2026.
You can book your free place on Pebble here. If you need support signing up, email us on admin@hit-theatre.org.uk or call us on 01727 22 1414
To keep up to date with our work at Colourful Minds, and sign up info, 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, Haberdashers School and Herts Sport and Physical Activity Partnership, Active Local (previously Leecliffe Big Local) 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 those aged 10-18 year-old. 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 week for 10 weeks at specific times of the year, depending on funding.
Currently running November 2025-March 2026
Check out our booking page on Pebble to book your free place
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?
Stay tuned for more workshop dates!
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?
Workshops can be booked via The South Mill Arts website when they are running
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
Turning Point: Art for Wellbeing
What are these workshops?
Monthly 2-hour art sessions in Baldock to help those with mild to moderate conditions affecting mental wellbeing such as stress, anxiety and depression. Funded by Turning Point
What to bring:
Just yourself! All art materials will be provided. Light refreshments will also be provided.
When are the workshops?
Session: 10am – 12pm
1.Tuesday 13th January 2026
2.Tuesday 10th February 2026
3.Tuesday 17th March 2026
4.Tuesday 21st April 2026
Where are the workshops taking place?
Gallery Room
Baldock Arts and Heritage Centre
Old Town Hall, Baldock SG7 6AR
How much are the workshops?
These workshops are FREE- funded by Turning Point
How can I book this workshop?
Workshops can be booked via Pebble
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 221414