Herts Inclusive Theatre – Liam's story
For Creativity and Wellbeing Week, we are sharing Londoners’ stories of how arts and creativity have had a positive impact of their mental health and wellbeing. Today, we are hearing from Herts Inclusive Theatre about one of their participants, Liam.
“You tend to underestimate children like Liam and yet they’re capable of so much more with the right input and support – that’s what HIT has given him”.
Liam, 13, has complex needs and has been attending weekly youth theatre sessions with Herts Inclusive Theatre for around six years. When he first joined, he would only run up and down the stairs of the theatre and had to have 1:1 support from his carer or mum Jane. But now he performs on stage, has made new friends and actively takes part in sessions on his own.
That has been a massive accomplishment that mum Jane is extremely proud of. She said: “I cried when I saw him up on stage performing, I was very emotional and proud because you tend to underestimate them and yet they’re capable of so much more with the right input and support. I felt that being on stage performing in a show wouldn’t be possible for Liam but he’s got there and he’s achieved it thanks to HIT.
“It’s difficult to find activities that are inclusive; even when they say they are they’re not always. But HIT really is. Liam’s needs are quite complex and severe, particularly around communication, but the team have got to understand him and have adapted so he can take part. For example, he can’t learn lines but he can read perfectly so he read out his lines and they recorded him.”
And being part of HIT has had wider wellbeing benefits for the rest of family too. Jane said: “It’s good for parents as well as you get a group of people to talk to and I’ve made friends through going along and built a support network.
“I’d recommend HIT to any parent who’s looking for something after school for their children to go to, it definitely builds confidence and helps with attention and communication.”
Liam said: “I like Emma [Workshop Facilitator], playing games and making friends.”
Herts Inclusive Theatre (HIT) is one of Thrive LDN’s recipients of our Right to Thrive Grants Scheme. To learn more about HIT, watch the video below, or visit our profile page.