The Big House

The Big House works with care leavers who are at a high risk of social exclusion.

We provide a platform for them to participate in the making of theatre and to have their voices heard.

“Thank you for your belief in my abilities.You sparked something in me I never believed I had and I have held onto that and it has sparked a new chapter in my life” (r.o. 23)

“Thank you so much for making me feel human again. I don’t feel like I’m just surviving. I feel like I’m living life!” (t.t. 22)

In Spring 2014, John Mulholland, The Editor of The Observer came to spend some time at The Big House and meet the members who were going through the Open House Project and performing in the production BABY/LON.  Read the full article here.

UNLEASH POTENTIAL…

We use theatre to inspire our members and to facilitate personal growth. The Big House recognises the vulnerability of care leavers as well as their unplumbed talents, hopes and dreams. Through the use of theatre, the development of life skills and therapeutic intervention, The Big House nurtures a relationship of trust with our membership to work on behavioural and emotional problems. By tackling these fundamental needs we unleash our members’ creative potential and build their core skills to help them manage the stressful complexities of taking up a positive role in the community.

“Before I came to The Big House I wasn’t doing anything with my life and I didn’t know what to do. This project is important because prepares you for professional life, helping with everything from timekeeping to working with others. The use of drama to help people come out of their shell is really effective” (s.k. 20)

FIRE THE IMAGINATION…

Theatre engages the individual in a collaborative context, developing positive feelings of self esteem, mastery and control.  We believe that art can be transformative and theatre can help people develop emotional literacy. Our members go on an intensive journey of personal discovery which enables them to communicate with others in a profoundly positive way effecting a psychological, emotional and social change.

Performance is crucial. For many this will be the first time that they have been applauded for something that they have achieved in their life. Performing in front of an audience is terrifying. Taking this risk and succeeding will have a profoundly positive effect on our members’ feelings of self worth.

“The Big House is a place for people who have nowhere to go and who feel they don’t belong. It’s like a family. It allows us to show the world we’re not just kids from care, that we have feelings and dreams like everyone else.” (t.t. 22)

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for an amazing workshop yesterday. I have never enjoyed myself so much in my whole life!” (d.m. 19)