Create Performances

Young Carers

Solar Bear was approached to deliver a programme of outreach work for young people who are also young carers in their homes. Focussing on the 15-18 year age group, the purpose of the project was to create a small drama that was presented in June 2008 as part of the National Carers Week event. This 17-week programme of work for six young carers in the North of Glasgow was intended to show that these young people are more than just young carers. The piece was a light-hearted sketch show that had two performances, one of which was for National Carers week in 2008.

This Is Me

Solar Bear worked with twelve young people from throughout Scotland to create a performance piece to be presented as part of Who Cares? Scotland's 30^th Anniversary celebrations. Through a programme of workshops and rehearsals, participants wrote poetry, music and songs to create 'This is Me', a performance piece exploring how it felt to be looked after and accommodated, the challenges being looked after brings, and their hopes for the future. So far, the piece has been performed at four national conferences, with more being planned for further on in the year. To date, 600 people throughout Scotland have seen 'This is Me'.

My Rights
By Harry and Meaghan

Do I have the right to speak?

I have the right to freedom of voice,
I want to say it, I have the choice.
Do you listen or do you just hear,
The way I am feeling, the things that I fear.
I want to know if I'm wrong or right
I need someone to listen
I need someone tonight.

Do I have the right to contact?

To make a connection, to feel a touch,
To hold a person that I love so much.
Someone to argue with, someone to fight,
But, when I'm down I can hold them tight.
I need someone when I'm down and blue -
Not just someone - I need you!

Do I have the right to feel safe?

When I'm alone in the dark,
Or on a busy train;
I feel that worry,
I feel that pain.
I need someone to talk to right beside me
I need to feel safety that's special to me.

"It is very difficult to find any other drama company that demonstrates the skills, ability and integrity shown by Solar Bear. Many of the young people we work with in Who Cares? Scotland find it difficult to manage a group environment and can display low self esteem. In every session I have seen Solar Bear believe in young people, in turn building their confidence and self esteem and increasing their ability by working at their pace and encouraging them to draw on their experiences to produce and perform their own material. The work we have done with Solar Bear has been so successful that we hope to develop this further next year.

I find it difficult to imagine working with any other drama company".

Dawn Parker, Who Cares? Scotland, National Advocacy Manager Who Cares? Scotland December 2008