London Against Gun and Knife Crime
Working in partnership to reduce and prevent violence associated with gangs in London
Arc Theatre for Change
Project aims: Arc is an educational theatre company which creates and performs interactive theatre pieces, films and workshops. Arc produces theatre for a range of audiences - local education authorities, schools, voluntary sector organisations, charities and businesses. The theatre pieces explore themes such as interpersonal skills, communication, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, equality and diversity issues. Arc aims to engage audiences actively by challenging their assumptions and making participants aware of their behaviours and feelings.
Lead Organisation(s): Arc works with a range of partners: these include Criminal Justice Agencies, Community Safety Units, Education Authorities, Pupil Referral Units, Youth Offender Institutions, Connexions, Education Business Partnerships, the Youth Justice Board, the Home Office, the Metropolitan Police Service and the Crown Prosecution Service. The company also works with youth services, voluntary sector partners and a range of commercial sponsors.
Client Group: Arc predominantly works with young people aged 5-25 within mainstream education and beyond, offering early intervention and preventative programmes through drama and theatre. Referrals are taken from Pupil Referral Units, Children's Services and other agencies.
Programme Delivery: One project currently running is a programme for vulnerable young people who are at risk of gang and gun involvement in Bermsondsey, where Arc is working with Downside Fisher Youth Club over a six-month period to create a theatre programme and performance opportunities for 20 young people. Another project is Breathing Space, which is a film made in collaboration with the Samaritans that explores the increase in self-harm and suicide of young men. Arc also performs specially designed interactive theatre pieces for one-off conferences and training events, and runs after-school programmes and summer holiday arts programmes, as well as short and long-term theatre and drama-based programmes that are delivered across London and the UK. Arc uses a range of skilled facilitators, including teachers and those with a theatre, drama therapy or youth work background.
Funding: Arc attracts funding from a range of sources. This year's turnover is £480,000 which is made up of grants, public sector funding (from police authorities, the Children's Fund, Criminal Justice agencies, schools, Connexions, Education Business Partnerships, Health Authorities, Local Education Authorities, Local Authorities, Youth Services, Community Safety Partnerships, various Trusts) and fees.
Contact: Carole Pluckrose at 0208 594 1095 or carole@arctheatre.com.
Website: www.arctheatre.com