Students from Milestone School have taken to the stage at The Roses Theatre to perform their final piece as part of the Inspire project — a creative wellbeing initiative tailored specifically for 11-13-year-old students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Launched through funds raised during our Big Give Arts for Impact campaign last March, the Inspire Programme has formed a key part of our children and young people programme. Our aim was ambitious: to create a new theatre-making programme in partnership with a local special needs school, offering students an opportunity to explore creativity, self-expression and performance.

Working closely with creative practitioner Sam Strachan, the students engaged in a journey of storytelling, movement and collaboration. Week by week, through play and exploration, they learned and layered techniques like character work, physical theatre, voice, prop play, soundscaping, freeze frames and more. The show grew organically, without the pressure of a traditional rehearsal structure. Over time, we watched them grow in confidence, learning to express themselves more clearly, creatively and with purpose — both verbally and physically.

The culmination of their work was The Stanley Hotel, an original piece they performed on stage to an audience of peers, staff and members of The Roses team. They devised every scene, helped shape the lighting, props and costumes, and even performed live foley sound effects on stage. Despite a few nerves before the curtain rose, the students delivered a performance filled with heart and professionalism — a true reflection of the progress they’ve made through the programme.

“We are proud of each and every student who had the courage to step onto the stage,” said Georgia Shire, Children and Young Person Producer. “The growth we’ve seen in them throughout the Inspire Programme has been incredible — they’ve learned so much and truly come into their own.”

We’re now seeking funding to run Inspire again in 2025, this time with an additional school—and we’re planning a double-bill public performance next spring to share even more incredible stories from these extraordinary young people.