Visible Fictions - Retreat
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Visible Fictions is one of the UK’s leading theatre companies. It creates professional performances that are innovative, memorable and relevant to its audience. The company also produces a vibrant education and participation programme which, like its professional work, inspires its young participants to unleash their artistic potential.
Background
Last year together with the mental health organisation Penumbra, Visible Fictions worked with a group of young people who formed a steering group to organise a conference. The members of the steering group were working on the conference - In Ma Heid, Oot Ma Heid - for young people to explore issues around mental health. The members presented their findings at the Children In Scotland conference for adult professionals a month later. This piece was performed at both conferences. A film of the piece can be seen on the Penumbra website.
The Retreat project was inspired by the company’s productions Prince Unleashed and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and was delivered in partnership with Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire Councils. Visible Fictions delivered a series of participation projects exploring the ideas of withdrawal, isolation and mental wellbeing through the medium of theatre. The target group for this programme was young people who are mental health service users and, more broadly, young people interested in exploring issues of mental wellbeing.
Within East Renfrewshire Council, the Health Coordinators working within the two High Schools in Barrhead identified the young people. Barrhead is an area that is geographically isolated from facilities, including the theatre. This project enabled young people to access their local cultural venue and to see professional theatre.
The project also engaged a group from Renfrewshire Council. The group of young people was referred through Castlehead High School in Paisley as interested in exploring mental health issues and theatre. The group worked within Paisley Arts Centre for short residencies and workshops.
The project culminated with a performance of their devised piece, you’re mental you are, at Paisley Arts Centre on Thursday 9th August. The groups of young people came together to work for a two-week intensive block of rehearsals. They also worked with music and animations, which was inspired while developing their stories and experiences.
Quotes from Participants
‘You could really relate to the characters in the play – it was a shame for Little Voice’ Rachel, 15
‘It always starts with the smallest thing then just starts to build up – it’s like an irritation that won’t go away’ Gaynor, 15
Next Phase/Conclusions
Initial findings from the project include:
- In the early stages of development there were difficulties in engaging with Mental Health organisations. Organisations seemed to be reluctant to support the project, for a variety of reasons, including: lack of young people who wished to engage; the transitional nature of some of the young people, staff changes; and logistical concerns such as transport.
- The importance of understanding language when working with young people, to break down stigmas and misconceptions.
- The importance for the young people in understanding the differences in symptoms and types of poor mental health. Many of the young people were confused about what it all meant and there needed to be clarity about definitions and to distinguish between poor mental health and learning disabilities.
- Identifying that during teenage years there was an increase in stress levels from a variety of causes such as exams, friends, and increased knowledge of worldly issues.
The project has been asked to participate in a Young Person’s Day as part of Mental Health week in October 2007. A DVD of the final production, animations and music will be shown at this event. It is anticipated the project will also offer a workshop or discussion as part of the event to share findings and talk about the process.
Visible Fictions is keen to continue to explore issues surrounding young people and mental wellbeing.