A Year at Peer

As the curtain falls on 2023, we're thrilled to share the incredible journey we've had at Peer, a trailblazing youth arts charity nestled in the heart of Woking, Surrey. If this is your first encounter with us, welcome to the vibrant world of Peer – where we are on a mission to transform young lives through the magic of theatre.

Seventeen years ago, I founded Peer when I was just 26, and here we are, still standing strong. While much has evolved over time, our unwavering belief in the transformative power of theatre remains the beating heart of everything we do.

Summing up a year at Peer is like trying to capture lightning in a bottle – each day is a whirlwind of energy, creativity, and pure joy. Yes, challenges have come our way, but this blog is all about celebrating the triumphs, especially in the face of a tough operating climate for charities like ours.

PAD actor Sophia as Holly in ‘Masking.’

The new year burst forth with a surge of creative energy as our PAD actors, alongside the talented Annabel from the Peer Employment Pathway (PEP), dived into rehearsals for my latest play, 'Masking.' This powerful piece delves into the impact of the pandemic on young people's mental health, blending naturalistic drama with expressive movement and multimedia.

We took 'Masking' on a tour to secondary schools in Surrey, and the response was nothing short of incredible. The highlight? Opening the play at Gosden House School, Annabel's old school where she shattered stereotypes and opened young minds to the possibilities of being an actor with a learning disability.

But that's not all – this year marked a major milestone as we built our very own blackbox studio and ventured into the world of digital theatre. It's been a steep learning curve, but we're thrilled to share the fruits of our labor in the coming year.

Creative collaborations flourished, especially with Guildford School of Acting, where we had the privilege of performing for friends, family, and the wider community. In February, the icing on the cake was receiving the Drama Inspiration Award at the Music and Drama Education Awards 2023.

PEP actor Georgie in her ‘Story of Me.’

Our PEP program continued to soar, with PEP artists crafting their own performance pieces for the 'Story of Me' project.

Easter brought a community project in partnership with Active Surrey, targeting disadvantaged young people, complete with nutritious lunches from our friends at The Humble Cup.

Summer saw the spotlight on PAD learners, who created a digital showcase exploring their individual brand as creative practitioners.

We then tackled the important subject of sex education with 'Losing It,' a production that not only toured schools but also yielded a cast album recorded in a professional studio.

Thanks to a successful Arts Council England project grant, PEP learners delved into the 'Story of Us' project, exploring the shared experiences of young adults with learning disabilities. It's a project that will culminate in a public sharing in March next year.

July was a bittersweet farewell to some of our learners, but it was also a time of growth as we welcomed new faces and expanded our creative hub. Autumn brought nine new PAD learners, five PEP learners, and two fantastic staff members, Arlo and Emma, all contributing to a bustling hub of creative activity.

PAD actors in ‘The Space Between my Head and Heart.’

One personal goal this year was to foster interaction between our training cohorts, and I'm thrilled to say that wish came true. Daily inclusive practices, foursquare battles, student voice sessions, and collaborative projects like 'All Change' and 'The Story of Us' showcased the power of shared creativity.

As Creative Associate Ruth Sparkes directed 'The Space Between My Head and the Heart,' written by our Creative Producer Alice Underwood, I embarked on a new project, 'The Forest in Between,' exploring the challenges faced by year six students transitioning to secondary school. Drama became a powerful tool to delve into their worries, resulting in a compelling play we shared in a scratch performance.

‘The Forest in Between.’ scracth performance.

PEP learners, along with our PAD team, engaged with visiting artists specializing in theatre and activism, movement, puppet making, and digital practice. Together, they honed their skills and ideas for the 'Story of Us' project.

Throughout the year, our partners at Plan A conducted a feasibility study to enhance our rented building, with plans to transform the second floor into three creative studios. This expansion will allow us to reach even more young people through the transformative power of creative practice.

In a nutshell, it's been a year of chaos, creativity, and extraordinary moments at Peer. As we bid farewell to 2023, the entire Peer family wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Join us in 2024 as we continue making plays and changing lives!

And as we reflect on the year gone by, we can't help but acknowledge the incredible support we've received. If you've been touched by our story and believe in the power of the arts to transform lives, please consider making a donation to Peer. Your contribution, big or small, will help us continue our mission and reach even greater heights in the coming year.

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from everyone at Peer, and we can't wait to make more plays and change more lives in 2024!