Performing arts for life

There’s something exceptional about the performing arts which is hard to find in any other field. The enthusiasm, optimism and sheer enjoyment of working together increases resilience, personal confidence and communication skills – skills which can be transferred into other disciplines and walks of life.

Simply put, arts enrichment provides lifelong benefits.

That’s why The Share Foundation has launched Stepping Forward: Performing Arts for Life, in partnership with Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and the Rothschild Foundation. 

Stepping Forward is a first-of-its-kind online performing arts video course which provides young people in care (aged 13-17) with an accessible introduction to the performing arts. It’s an opportunity for some of the most disadvantaged people to experience the benefits  – some for the very first time. 

The programme delves into four disciplines – dance, acting, singing and backstage technical skills – offering hands-on experience through workshops and an in-depth discussion on backstage roles. Alongside, there are a series of engaging short videos, professional-led workshops, quizzes, opinion-seeking questions all of which are aimed at helping the young people develop their ideas. And there are lots of useful resources for course participants, including on how to further develop performing arts skills.  

‘In Conversation With…’

Notable performers have taken part in the course such as Emeka Sesay – an actor (Top Boy, The Power) who is a care leaver himself; Zoe Lister (Hollyoaks, The Worst Witch); Pandora Christie (Heart Radio); Mo Jamil (The Voice UK), and soprano Jennifer France. They feature in a section called ‘In Conversation With….’ discussing their individual journeys to becoming performing arts professionals and sharing their care experience. 

Emeka Sesay explained why he was keen to be involved in this initiative saying: “I truly believe in the transformative power of the performing arts. Growing up, the arts provided me with a sense of purpose and confidence, and I want to share that experience with young people in care. This course is a fantastic opportunity for them to explore their own creativity and discover new possibilities for their future.” 

Participants are able to earn up to £200, with £25 for each step completed and a bonus of £50 for full completion of all six steps. Such incentivised learning has been shown to provide a real attitudinal transformation. It not only provides financial benefits for young people, but also supports their skills, knowledge and understanding of what is required by employers for now and in the future. 

Continues…

Emeka Sesay described the Stepping Forward programme as a ‘fantastic opportunity’. Photo: Zoe Lister

Trialling the course

Earlier this year, a group of eight young people in care trialled the course. One of them, Khia, explained: “Being part of the Stepping Forward course trial phase has been an amazing experience for me. It’s given me the chance to express myself through the performing arts and discover talents I didn’t know I had. The support and encouragement had really boosted my confidence and I am excited to continue the course and discover even more skills I can use for the future.” 

Other trialists, in the care of Telford & Wrekin local authority, commented positively, with one saying: “I think it is important to feel involved with something, even if it is something online or face to face it doesn’t really matter as long as you feel like you have something to do with your time. Stepping Forward was a good opportunity to figure out ways to go ahead towards the creative arts and earn money at the same time doing it.”

When asked how the programme could make a difference to young people in care, one said: “I think one of the biggest challenges is not having somebody to talk to about what you want to do or having someone to help you down that path, so having something that can help you with the future, and it’s a thing that can help you when moving on.”

Breaking the cycle of deprivation

This is just one of the ways The Share Foundation is looking to break the cycle of deprivation and equip all disadvantaged young people from low-income backgrounds, and those in care, with the resources and life skills to give them the best chance to achieve their potential in adult life. 

At our launch event, Frankie Mapleston-Stroud, a Tring Park alumnus and foster carer, said: “Performing arts helped me to get to where I am now. I might not be in the performing world as such, but it helped me be the person I am today and get through the trauma I had myself as a child which is very similar to the children Stepping Forward is aimed at. Performing arts really is a form of therapy that they don’t even realise they are having.”

The course is accessible to young people in care for free through the local authorities that sign up.