A NEW series of classes has been launched in Helensburgh using the power of drama to help people recovering from addiction and other life issues.
The sessions are the brainchild of StreetCones, a community interest company based in Clynder and founded by Hugh Young.
Hugh started the group in 2014 after taking drama and theatre workshops while serving a sentence at Barlinnie prison in Glasgow.
He now runs StreetCones with creative and business partner Ben Elmer-White.
The drama sessions, which began last week, are the latest addition to StreetCones' programme, which aims to help people who have been through, or are going through, the criminal justice system, have suffered at the hands of others, who have struggled with anxiety, depression or addition, or who, in StreetCones' words, have "never been given a chance".
Hugh believed drama and theatre could be "great vehicles for motivating and inspiring others within the criminal justice system to help them gain a variety of personal insights and build life skills, to support them in getting back into the community".
He also thought drama and theatre would help those in recovery to build confidence and personal effectiveness to gain life skills.
The drama workshop in Helensburgh, at The Bridge, Helensburgh Parish Church's halls complex, started on July 12 and run each Wednesday, from 6-7pm, until September 27 - with a performance planned for after the final session.
The sessions are held to support those recovering from addiction, trauma, mental wellbeing challenges, or who simply want to find their place back in the community.
Ben told the Advertiser: "In the initial stages through storytelling and improvising around those stories, we build group trust, explore themes, build confidence, and build positive self-awareness.
"We narrow down the themes and choose one we all would like to explore, and start to mould the story into a performance, with the group being involved in a variety of ways - as actors, writers, stage managers, designers, building upon personal interests and skills.
"The performance will be at the end of the workshop period, around September 27, and will be for invited guests and perhaps members of the public.
"This decision is taken by the group. The performance will be followed by a questions-and-answers session.
"Throughout the workshops we use a variety of theatre and drama exercises and practices, to develop the group and individuals."
StreetCones' other programmes include The Midnight Run, for those who find it hard to sleep and struggle with being alone at night; Positive Lines, which uses fishing to help give people's live a more positive purpose; and Singing Bread, night-time baking for those who are alone and unable to sleep.
They also offer a residential programme, AwayStays, as well as providing mentoring and support for care-experienced young people, group sessions, and workshops for schools and youth groups on topics such as drug misuse, self-harm, criminal offending and anxiety and depression.
For more information, see streetcones.co.uk, email hugh@streetcones.co.uk or call 07939 369 972.
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