Toonspeak – Young People’s Theatre – Engaging and empowering young people through drama
Key contact: Danica Gilland
Address: Unit 1A Millburn Centre, 221 Millburn Street, Glasgow, G21 2HL
Telephone: 0141 552 0234
Email: Toonspeak
Web address: Toonspeak Young People's Theatre
Toonspeak Young People’s Theatre in a nutshell
Toonspeak Young People’s Theatre is a registered charity in Scotland. We empower young people to make all decisions about the organisation and the artistic work. Our work seeks to support the regeneration of the local area and works to address problems of economic and social exclusion.
The issues addressed
Several reviews of local needs highlighted that the area continues to face ongoing problems, stemming from economic and social exclusion.
Some of these issues include:
• high levels of unemployment
• lack of opportunities for young people
• areas of dereliction
• lack of leisure and recreational facilities
• territorialism and discrimination
• low levels of educational attainment
• poor health profiles
• concentration of extreme poverty and low incomes
• higher than average levels of drug abuse and crime.
The approach to the issues
By providing quality drama and theatre activities in the North of Glasgow we aim to challenge territorialism and discrimination by bringing together young people from different areas and different backgrounds. We aim to provide quality entertainment to the audiences of North Glasgow and offer:
• drama training programmes
• at least one large scale production each year
• free drama workshops in North Glasgow for any young person aged between 11-25 years old living in the area
• an outreach programme with tailor-made projects – with the aim to benefit as many young people as possible. We do not believe that ‘one size fits all’ and are therefore flexible in the ways we involve people
• an empowerment programme designed to encourage young people to take an active role in management through master classes.
Setting up the work
Toonspeak was set up in 1987 by a small group of committed professionals from social work and education services to provide creative opportunities to disadvantaged young people. It began as The Toonspeak Theatre Company, a local drama group in Barmulloch and now offers workshops in all parts of North Glasgow.
Evidence of success
Last year alone - from April 2006 to March 2007:
• 103 young people attended 92 drama workshops
• 12 freelancers and nine volunteers helped deliver these
• 20 people attended our Adult Drama Training Workshops
• 31 young people performed to 407 people.
Toonspeak’s successes are recognised far beyond its immediate community. So far, we have also been awarded:
• Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum (SURF) Award (2001) for best practice in using the creative arts as a catalyst for regeneration and breaking down the barriers to social inclusion
• Investors in People National Standard (2005)
• Glasgow Digital City Award (2005)
• Learndirect Scotland ‘Employer of the Year’ (2005).
Testimonials
The work we do at Toonspeak is best shown by the comments of the young people who take part and what they have achieved through the project:
“Toonspeak gets us caring for others and getting more involved in our community.”
Young workshop participant, January 2007
“Being in Toonspeak makes me feel happy, great and confident.”
Workshop participant, Spring 2006
“Toonspeak helps you make new friends and try new things.”
Young workshop participant, Spring 2006
“Toonspeak helped change my hopes and plans for the future.”
Toonspeak member, Winter 2005
Lessons learnt
Toonspeak has gone from strength to strength over the last few years and hopes to continue and build upon its success. Some lessons are:
• keep your finger on the pulse for new legislation and funding initiatives
• constantly monitor and update your policies and procedures to reflect change in your organisation - this makes applying for funding less time consuming
• undertake a training needs analysis within the project and attend training courses to fill any gaps
• build relationships with key decision makers
• develop as many partnerships as possible.
