Drama Express bring smiles to theatres across Cornwall
Drama Express bring together children and young people with additional needs through performing arts workshops.
Always keen to promote creativity, Drama Express has worked with its members to write and produce a production. Based on the ‘Mr. FlannelFoot’ series by Cornish author Foz Foster, the production incorporated script writing, costume design, voice coaching, choreography, and so much more. Through workshops, members learnt different skills that were eventually delivered through the play. They then toured the production across fully accessible theatres in Cornwall.
Grant awarded & impact
In February 2024, Drama Express received £2,000 from The Claire Milne Fund. With this money, they were able to product their production of ‘Schools out at Sockley Hall’. The project has given members the chance to build their confidence and wellbeing while strengthening their skills and talents.
Performances were met with positive and uplifting reviews and strengthened the work of the charity locally. At the Minack Theatre, the production sold our, receiving a standing ovation.
The project showed local communities the benefits of including young people in arts-based organizations, especially those with a complex additional support needs. Audiences who attended the Mr. FlannelFoot play felt the feel-good factor and determination of the performers.
Joseph has a significant sensory impairment, ADHD and epilepsy. He had shown interest in performing arts, but finding a group that would meet Joseph’s complex needs was difficult.
A family support worker introduced Joseph to Drama Express. He went to a workshop where the planning for the Mr FlannelFoot play had just started.
Joseph was shy at first, but in the following weeks, his confidence grew and grew. He even actively requested to play a leading character in the play. Though nervous at first, Joseph was supported to bringing the role he was playing to life.
About the fund
The Trust’s focus is to support people of all ages with a disability who live in Devon or Cornwall, to help them to live a full and active life.
The Trust does this by making grants to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations which work directly with people with disabilities who live in Devon or Cornwall. The Trust focuses its grant giving on charities and not-for-profit organisations that are well run, with effective governance and good volunteer support.
The current trustees strive to honour Lesley’s wishes and to keep Clare’s memory alive.
Together, Cornwall Community Foundation and Clare Milne Fund have awarded over £87,000 to support people with disabilities in Cornwall since 2010. This has funded small and well-run groups with strong support from volunteers.
From Sept 2023 – July 2024, we distributed £26,902 to 12 projects across Cornwall. This includes a wide range of inspiring community groups offering:
For more information about Drama Express see drama-express.org
If you are a community group looking for funding, please view our available grants.
If you are looking to support the Cornwall Community Foundation with a donation, go to our online donation page.