Mission Statement:
Drama is a creative and imaginative way to engage with mental health issues. As a medium Drama enables students to engage with their learning and build their knowledge and understanding through a practical approach. We are passionate about drama and the empowerment of children and young people in Yorkshire to understand their mental health and build an awareness of how to prevent mental health illness.
Mental health understanding is important for all young people. Within the education system it has become apparent that young people can experience mental health problems and are unaware that what they are experiencing is linked to or affecting their mental health and well-being.
Our overall aim is for young people in Yorkshire to have an awareness and understanding that means they can manage their mental health and recognize signs that they may need to put coping strategies in place or seek further support. We aim to promote active healthy lifestyles, emotional resilience, and coping skills, while signposting support services available.
Drama as a learning tool means that young people can participate without feeling vulnerable or open to exposure if any of the mental health material is personal to themselves or situations within their lives. This enables students to explore difficult and sensitive issues using characters and scenarios that they can create and identify with. By leading drama workshops with young people, we believe it will encourage conversation around mental health issues and well-being.
“Our findings contribute conclusive evidence that improv promotes peoples’ ability to find creative and resourceful solutions and that therefore it can help us to think in more diverse ways or even break away from ingrained patterns of behaviour.”
“Improv to Improve: The Impact of Improvisational Theatre on Creativity, Acceptance, and Psychological Well-Being” Published Study in the Journal of Creativity in Mental Health; April 2020
Lead Facilitator:
My name is Kirsty Bilton and I am the lead facilitator for Mind Matters for Education. I have experience as a Drama practitioner in an education setting for 20 years. I have experience of the planning and delivery of drama lessons to all age groups, ensuring that the work delivered meets the learning needs of the students and the requirements of the organisation’s desired learning outcomes. I have extensive experience of using dramatic techniques to engage learners with a variety of content.
I understand the mental health challenges that young people face daily and have worked in a pastoral capacity with students of all ages dealing with mental health and student well-being. I have also engaged in a variety of mental health training. I have academically undertaken a mental health first aid course and have successfully completed a level 2 certificate in mental health and well-being for children and young people.
Having managed my own personal mental health issues, I feel that I understand some of the barriers that young people may experience in getting help and support. I have personal experience of strategies that have been effective and have empathy for those that are experiencing difficulties.
Mental Health is something I feel passionately about and education and support around this topic is essential. I would like to be part of the ongoing change and create a society where mental health and personal well-being is recognized as important. My aim is to support students with their awareness and understanding of mental health in order that they succeed in their studies and personal life.
‘Mind Matters For Education’ aims to:
Empower and enable young people to explore and understand mental health and well-being, what it is and how it can impact on their everyday lives.
Create a safe and supportive environment for young people to express themselves creatively.
Explore coping skills and strategies whilst signposting available support services.
Use the creative medium of Drama to explore relevant mental health issues and topics in a way that can include personal reflection or using characters to explore issues/situations.
Integrate performance as a tool to explore awareness and understanding of what Mental Health may look like.
Explore issues linked to mental health that are relevant to the children and young people and enable them to have a voice.
Reviews
“Fantastic performance and inspirational for parents and grandparents to encourage our children to share their thoughts and worries without fear of ridicule and being dismissed. Thank you for your hard work and I hope schools welcome this performance later this year.”
Susan Clarke About the workshop ‘Meet Jack’
“We thought the performance was thoroughly enjoyable. We were talking afterwards about the different situation that Jack found himself in. It was really well put together with props, music, acting, and audience involvement. Loved it!”
About the workshop ‘Meet Jack’
“It was sooooo good! I loved the performance, so much for the children to take in and understand that what they feel is normal (so important). The workshop was fab too. The kids loved it. My children said they loved it and wanted it to be longer! They giggled throughout and thought it was fantastic. You all should be very proud.”
About the workshop ‘Meet Jack’
“The ‘Meet Jack’ production was delivered to all our Year 7 students as part of the transition summer school. The performers pitched the production and workshops perfectly and were very flexible in creating a programme to suit our requirements. The performance was very engaging, enjoyable and skilfully delivered to get across some very important issues surrounding mental health. Our students are still talking about the production weeks on. We cannot recommend Mind Matters For Education enough.”
Kelly Wilkinson from Driffield School and Sixth Form about the workshop ‘Meet Jack’
“Meet Jack is extremely engaging and relevant. It delivers important messages through humour, audience participation, self reflection and the fantastic portrayal of the characters the production is based on. Highly recommended for Y5 – Y8 students.”
Rob Orr from Vale of York Academy about the workshop ‘Meet Jack’