Embrace

Embrace is a research project to develop effective multi-arts prevention and support for vulnerable young men at risk of having unhealthy sexual relationships.

The project creates a safe environment using creative arts exercises to encourage young men to reflect on their personal and intimate relationships.  Active-learning and therapeutic drama games enable young men to externalize difficult subconscious feelings into a fictional concrete form. This will enable objective reflection and analysis and offer opportunities for practising/rehearsing healthier alternative behaviours.

This project establishes safe and effective art based models of practice and delivers:

> Tailored drama programmes for young men at risk of sexually harmful behaviour and/or exploitation

> A new education resource supporting vulnerable young men

> Training support for professionals who work with vulnerable young men

The project is being delivered in schools, pupil referral units, youth clubs, secure units, youth offending teams and voluntary groups across Wandsworth and Southwark.

Video resources to support the Embrace Pack can be found HERE.

An external evaluation of the project can be found HERE. It has been written by Dr Amanda Stuart Fisher, a Reader in Contemporary Theatre and Performance at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (RCSSD) She has been supported by Dr Nicola Abraham (RCSSD), Kate Duffy-Syedi (Co-Artistic Director, Phosphoros Theatre and PhD Candidate RCSSD) and Cleve Jackson (Lecturer, Social Work Department, Royal Holloway University London). Funded by Esmee Fairbairn.

For more information, please contact the Embrace Coordinator embrace@littlefishtheatre.co.uk