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Background, values and aims
Background
The Perform Bursary Scheme was set up in 2009 in response to teachers, parents and others in the community requesting opportunities for young people who could benefit from Perform courses but who were not in a position to pay for the costs of the course. In response to this and internal discussions on embedding the values of Perform in a wider project, the Bursary Scheme was established.
Significant work was carried out to clarify the values underpinning the scheme and what this would mean in practice, including a structure that would allow continued growth in terms of its reach to young people.
Values
The underpinning values of the Scheme are:
Learning
The Scheme provides a space where young people can not only develop basic physical skills but also emotional and social skills that will enable them to increase awareness of self and enable positive interactions with other young people. Learning in this way is young person centred, recognising that every young person is different and will have different needs and paths in which they develop.
Opportunity
The Scheme provides an accessible and positive environment in which a young person can feel safe and secure to participate and grow. In addition an environment in which young people have the opportunity to see things differently, to be encouraged and inspired and importantly, happy in their own skin.
Focus
Drama is an excellent tool for developing a young person; it creates a clear focus for their participation and progress but without being intrusive i.e. they are engaged and enjoying the experience whilst being less aware of the range of skills they are learning. It also provides a framework for discipline and concentration, two key elements found to be important in the young person’s development.
Fun and Enjoyment
The Scheme provides an opportunity for young people to have fun and enjoy themselves in other young people’s company. It gives many young people a chance to be happy and to forget about worries and concerns and just enjoy being part of something; where they are important and their progress is consistently encouraged.
Diversity
Young people with and from a range of identities, cultures, backgrounds, ages, disabilities and/or beliefs are welcomed and supported. Diversity itself is valued as an important asset to a drama class, endorsing different thinking and types of social interaction.
Aims
The aim of the Perform Bursary Scheme is to provide the opportunity for young people to attend Perform drama classes who would not otherwise have access due to socio-economic and/or other social barriers.
The key component of the Scheme is the allocation of a year’s free drama sessions to young people across the South East, provided by Perform.
By attending the drama course a young person has the opportunity to improve confidence, concentration and have a sense of knowing what they can achieve. The course provides more than just activities; it is a step-by-step journey of inspiration and encouragement, taking young people from an unconfident and under-performing place to one where their potential is awakened and developed.
The classes are full of so much fun and Siya loves the songs! Siya talks fondly about her teachers, who have made Siya feel so welcome to the group. I’ve definitely seen an positive improvement in Siya’s confidence.
Alice was so shy and sheepish when she started, but Perfom has been amazing for her confidence and self esteem - even the school have commented on the improvement. All three of my children attend and Hannah always has time for each individual child and their parents.
This is the first class that both my children enjoy equally and really enjoy going to. I’m delighted. I really want them to grow in confidence and the class size and Naomi’s and Ben’s infectious enthusiasm help this.
I want to cry (with happiness!) as I write this. Both my children are on the autistic spectrum. Callum and Lucy are so fun and kind and talented, and the programme is so engaging, that my two can't wait to go in and are enjoying this more than anything else they do.
Isabella really enjoys her classes and is always on a "high" afterwards (for the whole day!). I can see already how her confidence has grown. Thank you!
My daughter has really bad stage fright and since coming here she has really started to come out of her shell! I’m amazed!! It’s brilliant!!!
From the first couple of weeks we noticed how Eva’s confidence drastically improved. Eva is absolutely thrilled to attend the class each week and even brought a drawing to school for ‘show and tell’. Laura and Lucy are both amazing with children, their energy, their enthusiasm is catchy.
My daughter has so much fun in the class. She always looks forward to coming and leaves happy too. We can already see a difference in her, her confidence is growing and she is opening up more too.
Wonderful, exactly what my eldest needed to boost her confidence at the awkward " self awareness" stage of development, she can't wait to get there each week.
It's been only few weeks and what they did with my child is amazing. Karen is such a warm, caring person and truly wants to get the best out of each child. Her connection with children is amazing. Thank you so much for giving my children this opportunity to shine!
