Meet the people we've helped

A year ago, Lauren sat silently outside the group of students who were chatting happily in PIP’s common room.

Desperately shy, unable to make the slightest eye contact, Lauren was locked into her silent world. She adamantly refused to join in classes or outside activities until Becky, our drama therapist noticed that despite herself, Lauren was watching the drama group intently.

Becky spent a lot of time encouraging Laurent to join in – making just the tiniest gesture here, contributing a small word there.

Three months later, Lauren was ready for a small role in PIP’s Christmas play. This summer, she starred in PIP’s public performance of its latest play, ‘Our House’!

Lauren will not become an actress, though. In fact, her ambition is to become a nursery assistant at the school she went to as a child. Her experience with PIP’s drama group moved her closer to achieving this dream. It has given her the confidence to hold her head up and look people in the eye, to be part of a team and take pride in her achievements.

“Before I did drama at PIP I didn’t like talking to anyone. Drama helped me play the witch in the show and I talk to everyone!” Lauren, 24