Community projects do change lives for the better!
FOR the past two years Pigtown Theatre CIC has been working in partnership with the People’s Health Trust. Using money raised by Health Diverse through The Health Lottery; to offer two community drama groups in Colwyn Bay and Mochdre. As the project comes to an end the Artistic Director Vickie Fleming reflects on its achievements and what difference projects like this can make to peoples’ lives:
“Working in the community requires commitment. Not just from the participants but from the people delivering the work. To really support people and make a meaningful difference to peoples lives you have to be prepared to put the time in, racking up weeks, months, years of effort and engagement to connect with people, gain their confidence and help them achieve more than they thought was possible. During the life of the project we have nurtured people, watched them grow in confidence, take on new challenges in their lives and develop ● new friendships which will sustain outside of the group.
“Nobody would have predicted two years ago that our participants would grow in confidence enough to be part of a huge event at Bodnant Garden, Unbind the Wing, a celebration of the work of Laura McLaren in being a prominent member of the Suffragist movement. Taking on speaking roles and working alongside professional actors they delivered a performance to be proud of in front of 200 guests dressed as civil rights protesters marching through the garden. It was a proud moment to see them take on their roles so confidently. Or that they would help other community groups by performing at a Summer community event in Mochdre helping to raise £1500 for the school and create funny elf characters to entertain guests at Ty Llewelyn in Llandudno community Christmas tea party. “This has only been made possible with grant funding from the People’s Health Trust. They understood our idea of supporting wellbeing and a sense of community through drama. That by building confidence, friendships and encour- aging everyone to have a voice that this would have such a positive effect on peoples’ lives.
“As one member said: ‘Through attending the group, I have found a life line. I’ve made some friends whose company and camaraderie I enjoy very much. As a result I am more confident and less lonely.’
“As the current funding for MAKE: Space comes to an end we feel very positive about the future with lots of opportunities on the horizon it is only a matter of time before the group is back being a positive force in the community. Anyone considering joining a group this new year should take that first step and give it a go, you never know where it may take you.”