Leeds-based Brave Words, who work with young people in Beeston, are celebrating recent funding success as the National Lottery have granted them £220,261 to support children and young people to thrive in communities across the city.
Since 2018, Brave Words has focused on the joint aims of telling stories with a social purpose, and creating adventures in the arts that invest in children, young people and communities. Youth and Education Director Fran Cairns said:
“We work hard to create long-term impact with young people; supporting them to become more confident and to discover who they are.
“Children and families are facing more and more challenges, with less and less support available. This funding means we can remain a constant in their lives.”
The funding will support Brave Words’ work for the next three years, enabling them to continue running weekly Pay-What-You-Can Youth Theatres in Beeston, Meanwood and Seacroft for more than 160 children and young people from diverse backgrounds. They will also run summer projects supporting families with the cost of food and childcare during the holidays, and the Young Company project, where teenagers can shadow and work with professional artists from backgrounds similar to their own. Artistic Director, Chris Singleton, said:
“Every story has value, and we believe every child should be able to tell theirs. We hope that in ten years we’ll see our children and young people onstage, onscreen and behind the scenes.”
Brave Words’ groups have performed on professional stages at Leeds Playhouse, produced short films which premiered at Hyde Park Picture House, and contributed to the company’s professional plays. Rheanna Atkinson, Producing Director, said:
“The children and young people we work with are the beating heart of Brave Words. We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way and want to thank every National Lottery player for their support.”
To find out more about Brave Words’ work, visit www.bravewords.co.uk
The following are quotes from the young people we work with, illustrating Brave Words impact:
“I’ve never done anything like this before but I want a job with the youth theatre when I’m older. It’s helped me to know what I want to do with my life.”
“We’ve grown into a family and I felt so safe on that big stage because I knew everyone was there for me.”
“We got to be these characters that we’d worked on, that were really our own, on this huge stage in front of all those people!”
And parents commented:
“You’ve given her confidence to be herself.”
“I never did any theatre, it sounds too posh for me, but she can’t get enough of your classes. I think it’ll give her more opportunities.”
Brave Words run drama sessions for 4-17 year olds at Beeston Village Community Centre every Wednesday in term time from 4-7:30pm, contact Chris on 07775 926166.
This post is based on a press release issued by Brave Words
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