Haringey Shed is an inclusive theatre and performing arts company for children and young people. They provide a range of term time after school activities and holiday programs as well as outreach work in the community, working in local schools, nurseries and community centres.

Haringey Shed’s repertoire of inclusive theatre techniques and our ‘no auditions’ policy strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment in which every young person has a part to play and is valued and respected. They believe every young person, regardless of their ability and background should have access to a safe, respectful and creative environment. “Where everyone has a part to play” is a slogan that they are very proud of.

Our charity was delighted to be a part of such a worthy cause. Our trustee Lindy Goldkorn believes that they are a wonderful charity, very professionally run and who do amazing work. Apparently, the Kid’s Time project is only a small off-shoot from H/S and not expensive to run – it is a very small component of a bigger picture and so at this stage, we don’t believe it would need significant funding. There can be no doubt that this valuable project helps many young, disadvantaged people, who live in a terrible, deprived and dangerous area, above and beyond. It takes the kids off the streets, builds their confidence and passion and offers them a brighter future. Their performances are built up over many weeks writing the scripts, practicing singing and drumming, going on trips etc and before the SJLCT was established, Our trustee Lindy volunteered to get first hand experience. The H/S clearly uses the activities of “performing arts” to improve all participants mental health and originally, pre-Covid, when our plans were to open a public hub facility, we planned for them to be one of our major partners delivering our programme of supported activities.

As per our website mission and charity constitution, the SJLCT’s own objects are:-

To relieve the needs of people diagnosed with poor mental health, their families and carers, for the public benefit by working with mental health services and with the support of mental health professionals to:

• Provide a public hub facility and a programme of supported activities and services.
• Provide help, advice and guidance relevant to those needs.
• Provide such other support to people affected by poor mental health as the Trustees in their absolute discretion determine appropriate and current.

As such our charity has decided to grant them with a donation, to contribute to their core costs, overheads and activity delivery of their inclusive performing arts program which we discussed at our last Trustees’ Meeting last week. The project funding is given to support 5 areas of their inclusive program over the next 3 years, each of which aim to support families, children and young people develop in confidence, communication and physical activity and in doing so improve their mental health and well-being:

Children’s Theatre: combining acting, singing and movement these sessions are designed to build
the performance skills of children, with the opportunity to perform their work in venues across
Haringey. We watch many participants grow in confidence, independence and communication.

Under One Roof Older Acting Group: their theatre company for young people age 16–19 years
(90% disability). The group focuses on devising new work, creative writing and a variety of
performance styles. It is a place to explore new ideas and to work in a dynamic environment – this
year they are using mask work to explore emotions.

Kidstime Annual Summer Trip: once a year an opportunity for their Kidstime families (parents with
mental illness group) to have a fun day out together, this could be a trip to a theme park, the seaside
or the zoo.

Young People’s Summer Residential: It is a chance for young people to exchange the inner-city
environment for a taste of the natural woodland setting and take part in a wide range of activities that
challenge and develop personal awareness, confidence and teamwork. For some this will be their
first experience of time away from their families and for others a valuable respite break from their
caring responsibilities.

Haringey Shed-MiniBus : Assist with the purchase of a MiniBus which will be highly helpful to the Charity.

Youth Forum and Annual Residential

Many of the young people and families they support are experiencing or at risk of poor mental health.  We want the young people to feel more confident about discussion mental health, understand how they can improve their well-being and where they can go for support.

Their regular Youth Forum sessions are where young people have a ‘voice’ it gives them the opportunity to put forward new ideas and suggestions, plan events and activities, try out new activities and take part in activities that develop their skills, self-awareness and contribute to their personal development. Each week 15 – 20 young people aged 14yrs and over come together and take part in discussion and activity that they have chosen. This year the group planned several outings and events, including The Return of the Jam and a trip to Thorpe Park, both involving budgeting, fundraising and planning. They have taken part in training, personal development activities and tried out new activities.

Once a year Haringey Shed also organises a 3-day residential to Hindleap Warren Outdoor Centre in East Sussex.  It is a chance for young people to exchange the inner-city environment for a taste of the natural woodland setting and take part in a wide range of activities that challenge and develop personal awareness, confidence and teamwork.  Last summer, 25 young people took on night-time orienteering, high ropes course, fire-lighting and axe throwing, alongside toasting marshmallows and storytelling around the campfire.  For many youngsters this will be their first experience of time away from their families and for others a valuable respite break from their caring responsibilities.

Over the coming year they would like to explore the subject of mental health and well-being within both of these groups, increasing awareness of the factors affecting mental health for young people, what young people can do to improve their mental health and well-being, and what to do if they (or someone they know) is experiencing mental health difficulties, a cause which the Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Trust is now supporting and covering the costs.

With the help of Sarah Jane Leigh Charitable Foundation the charity can now sustain their current activity levels and continue to develop projects that support the many children, young people and families that Haringey Shed work with.