A theatre company based in Caterham, Surrey, says a £28,000 grant has helped them to continue enhancing the lives of adults and young people with disabilities and mental health challenges.
Prospero Theatre Company received the grant from the Mental Health Investment Fund (MHIF) which allowed them put on the show The Return of Jafar.
The performance was attended by Surrey County Councillor Mark Nuti, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, and Public Health who said he enjoyed the uplifting show.
“It’s inspiring to see how these funds are being used to support community arts and mental health, offering a vital platform for those facing disabilities and mental health challenges” said Cllr Nuti.
“Prospero is more than a theatre company – it highlights the importance of inclusivity, and ensures that everyone has the opportunity to express themselves and be part of something meaningful.”
The MHIF is an integrated funding program with a total budget of £10.5 million, contributed by Surrey County Council and Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board. The fund supports innovative, community-focused projects that prevent mental ill health and improve emotional wellbeing across Surrey.
Beth Wood, CEO and director at Prospero Theatre, said the funding had been instrumental in allowing them to provide one-to-one sessions that offer personalised support, mental wellbeing plans, and creative goals tailored to individual needs.
“Prospero Theatre Company, along with its partners, is deeply committed to inclusivity while providing a voice to adults and young people who often go unheard” said Beth.
“The funding has been pivotal in letting us put on the show Return of Jafar – a collaborative effort developed through weekly workshops and it provided opportunities for creativity, emotional expression, teamwork, and empowerment.
“Prospero Theatre is not just a place for performance but also a hub for peer support and independence. The theatre company fosters a supportive environment where members are encouraged to assist and uplift each other.”
The play was written by Nigel Simmonds, one of Prospero’s profoundly autistic members, through twice-weekly one-to-one sessions. Nigel’s commitment to the production inspired other members to explore their creative potential.
Beth said: “Nigel’s experience underscores the program’s impact and he says ‘Prospero is the best thing since sliced bread!’
“His ability to focus on details and his involvement in every aspect of the production was inspirational. His peers have seen him as a role model, which has encouraged others to start writing.”
“There are also long-term friends Leah and Lucy who went from not speaking and wanting to be together in every group or scene, to being entirely able to work independently. I recently asked Leah what she thought of Prospero and what she was doing with us. She said, ‘I love it I love it I love it I love it I love it I love it I love it.’ Last month Leah signed up to train to be a Prospero volunteer.”
The funding has also enabled Prospero Theatre to maintain high staff-to-member ratios, allowing members to attend events without their carers.
Beth said: “Parents and carers frequently commend Prospero Theatre for boosting the self-confidence of their loved ones. Our flexible and inclusive approach has helped many of our members connect more deeply with their families and communities, and we are now searching out more funding to allow us to continue providing this support.”
For more information about the Mental Health Investment Fund and its projects, visit Healthy Surrey.
Surrey News 
Discussion
Comments are closed.