Stride provides opportunities for people to meet others in a relaxed and supportive setting. We provide opportunities to examine and engage with a range of theatrical and other creative techniques. We offer person centred interventions to enable each participant to develop and extend their life skills, and when appropriate signpost opportunities for further learning experiences and employment. We are all unique and have a need to share our life experiences, the joys, motivations, aspirations and challenges of being in the world can be expressed through practically based theatrical expression and guided improvisations. Stride has a strong reputation for supporting and enabling those with social, physical and mental health issues to communicate effectively in order to explore, lobby and raise awareness of our exceptional lives in a positive and creative manner. Our aim is to promote health and wellbeing, and I know from personal experience how lives can be affected as my twin sister is labelled as having Sturge Webber Syndrome - she is epileptic, registered blind; has weakness down one side of her body, and a birthmark on her face. She has spent her life struggling with access challenges; not fitting into a ‘neat category’. My sister longs to be around people, she longs to be creative and have a purpose. Stride Theatre is inspired by her; to give all our participants, regardless of their label, situation or condition, an opportunity to ‘be with others’; to engage and participate rather than be ‘done for or to!
