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REACH & BEYOND

What is it?

The REACH Project was an intensive off school-site, 8-session programme run by the London Borough of Enfield for secondary school learners who had been excluded from school or were at risk of being excluded. Alongside core academic subjects, the programme offered a range of creative experiences, including drama classes delivered by the RWF. These classes recognised of the power of the performing arts to support young people to work through difficult times and build important personal and practical skills. The young people could explore issues of concern to them, and were matched with well-known professional actor/mentors, who supported them to develop their own piece of drama or poetry for a final performance in front of an audience. Trips to see world-class performances were also made, to provide inspiration and build cultural capital.
 
Since the REACH project RWF has been working in secondary schools – REACH & Beyond.  Our experienced drama mentors work with groups of students for a term of 2 hour workshops once a week after school presenting a performance at the end of the program.

Who’s it for?

Groups of up to 16 students selected by the school who are at risk of exclusion, criminal activity, lack of attainment & other issues or just those looking for ways to express themselves and become more engaged.
 
Testimony from Cally Campbell-Davis, Oasis Academy Enfield   We have a high number of students who find it difficult to engage socially.
 
Students find positive and respectful communication challenging at times because of the SEMH needs. 
 
There is definitely something to be said about the impact that C-19 had on cognitive development and the value of meaningful connections.
 
The RWF program boost self-esteem, confidence, understanding of Shakespearean literature and context. The content of sessions is relatable and this helps students to work together as a team and find solutions to problems whilst encouraging them to think creatively in order to own the work they do.

Benefits

Participants build on existing strengths and discover new and talents. They will develop a wealth of personal skills to support positive educational pathways, form robust friendships and social connections, and improve their general health and wellbeing over the long term.

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It was a privilege to work in partnership with the Rudolph Walker Foundation and to witness first-hand the profound impact of its mentoring and drama performance programme on our students at Oasis Academy Enfield.

The programme has played a vital role in supporting and nurturing young people who were vulnerable, at risk of permanent exclusion, or in need of greater confidence and self-belief. Through consistent mentoring, creative engagement and positive role modelling, students were given a safe and empowering space to express themselves, develop resilience and rediscover their potential. For many, this was a genuinely transformative experience that significantly improved both their self-esteem and engagement with school life.

A personal highlight was the contemporary performance of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The production was nothing short of extraordinary. Our students rose to the challenge with maturity, commitment and creativity, delivering performances that were both powerful and deeply moving. To see young people—some of whom had previously struggled to find their voice—perform with such confidence, discipline and passion was truly remarkable.

The highly gifted and committed staff demonstrated an exceptional ability to connect with young people and to unlock talents that might otherwise remain hidden. Their work has had a lasting and meaningful impact on the school community, and we are enormously grateful for the dedication, professionalism and care shown to our students.

I wholeheartedly commend the Rudolph Walker Foundation for the life-changing work it continues to do and look forward to future opportunities to work together.
Anthony WilliamsOCL Director of Education (London)
The impact the work students undertook with the Rudolph Walker Foundation was transformational. Our students blossomed under the care and guidance of the team, as it allowed them the space to develop themselves as humans and performers. The amount of time and patience given to our young people was so impactful, I wish they could work with all the whole school, including staff. The end performance was inspirational and moved me to tears. I wish we could do it all again.
Natalie Slade, Deputy Head TeacherChace Community School
Dear Nana, Dwyane and Rebecca, I am a teacher at St Anne's where you facilitate an after school drama club. I've been coming in to watch the last few weeks and I just wanted to say thank you for the beautiful work you are doing with our students. It is the highlight of my week seeing the kids light up on stage, engage with each other and choose to be there. As an actor and facilitator myself, I really noticed and appreciate how you meet the kids where they are at, using their language and self-expression to devise work that they can connect to, and that they do a really great job of bringing to life. Those kids know they are part of something a bit special, you can tell when I walk passed them in the corridors during school hours. So thank you for seeing them. I am away next week and will miss their performance, but hope they're proud by the end of it. From a great admirer, Lara Robinson
TeacherSt Annes Catholic High School for Girls, Palmers Green
I wanted to take the time to thank you and the amazing facilitators for everything they have done since partnering with LPS.

Nana, Rebecca and Duayne created an uplifting and inspiring environment allowing students to thrive in their safe space to produce an absolutely amazing show on performance night.

The year 8's who committed to the drama workshops have shown a huge development in their confidence, self esteem and aspirations. Over the last few months not only have they used their own time to attend each session they were engaged and enthusiastic each week about their sessions on Wednesday.

We would love to have you back again for another group
Ms L GibsonY7 & Y8 Interim Year Leader
Laurel Park School, Enfield, London
Our students thoroughly enjoyed last week’s sessionworking with Nana, Duayne, and Rebecca.

The enthusiasm and expertise displayed by Nana, Duayne, and Rebecca were truly commendable. Their dedication to providing an enriching experience for our students were evident throughout the sessions. The feedback from the students has been overwhelmingly positive, and they are eagerly anticipating the next session on Friday.

Once again, thank you for arranging such a wonderful opportunity for our students.
Damien Delaney, Assistant Head TeacherSt Anne's Catholic High School for Girls, Palmers Green, London
Having Nana (Intermission Theatre) and Duayne Boachie (Hollyoaks) work with our students has been really motivating and inspirational.
Anya GhambaryLBTH Enfield. REACH Centre Manager
Don’t be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams
Anon
Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that
Martin Luther King Jr

Our programme in 2024

The past 4 years have been a challenge for all young people, particularly those who were already experiencing difficulties in their home and school lives before COVID lockdown. Since returning to education so many of our young have missed out on valuable time in school not solely though missing out on their studies but on invaluable socialising & mixing with both their peers and adults outside of the family unit. This is why our work with the Reach programme in partnership with the Borough of Enfield was so important. Participants were able to explore the added anxieties and stresses caused by the lockdown through the creative activities offered by the programme, and rebuild their resilience, before re-entering mainstream education.

We have since developed the programme working in schools with groups of up to 16 young people many of whom have been identified as being at risk of exclusion, under attaining & generally ‘hard to reach’. We work after school hours on a weekly basis for a term culminating in a showcase for friends, family and the wider school community.

The testimonials above demonstrate the value of our work, sometimes the smallest interventionis can turn a young person’s life around & our team are truly gifted in the way they are able to identify and engage with students. All programmes are tailored around individual groups.

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