Prince’s Trust performing arts course brings young and old together on stage at the Theatre Royal Plymouth

Twenty-five unemployed young people and Elder Tree members took to the stage on Friday afternoon to create and perform a show about society and stereotypes at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

The performance, called ‘Limbo’, was the result of a three-week Truth about Youth ‘Experience Performing Arts’ course funded by The Co-operative Foundation and delivered in partnership with The Prince’s Trust.

The course saw young people partner with members of Elder Tree, a local over 50s befriending service, to launch a play that challenged perceptions and, increase skills and confidence amongst the unemployed 16-25 year olds to help them get into education or find employment.

Aaron Deakins, 18, from Estover, who heard about the course from Careers South West, says:  “Before coming onto the course I’d been working in a warehouse, but then I lost my job and was applying for around five jobs every week with no success.

“I’ve always been interested in acting so doing this course, and working with professional directors, gave me a proper idea of what it’d be like and has also helped rebuild my confidence.”

Josie Taylor, 55, from Crownhill, who was part of the Elder Tree over 50s performers, says: “I enjoyed working with the young people, especially sharing stories with them during the practical sessions. The Truth about Youth project really highlighted how hard it can be for young people today, even for those with good qualifications. This performing arts programme is a great way for them to build their self esteem, boost their qualifications and give them a chance for their voices to be heard.”

Sarah Robinson, Manager of The Co-operative Foundation, said: “The programme is all about nurturing, supporting and recognising the positive contributions that young people make in our communities. Forming part of The Co-operative’s commitment to inspiring young people, our work with The Princes’ Trust is helping young people to build the self-confidence and transferable skills needed in order for them to work towards their own career and educational aspirations and, bring about the positive changes that they would like to see in their lives.”

In addition to providing the young people with an opportunity to work with expert directors, it also gave them chance to gain a Bronze Arts Award – an Arts Council Level One qualification. In Plymouth, there are currently one in four young people struggling to find work (25 per cent).

The Prince's Trust helps disadvantaged young people to get their lives on track. It supports 13 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion. Three in four young people supported by The Trust move into work, education or training.