Attending creative workshops whilst in HMP Barlinnie, Hugh our Founder, was inspired by the profound effects of feeling safe and play acting within a room, rehearsing life’s experiences and challenges with empathetic people using drama as therapy. It  was thought provoking; how the art of simply play acting in a safe space could change his thought process and behaviour.  Hugh was also a Samaritan in prison supporting others,  and was impressed by the "learn by doing" element of a Cognitive Behaviour programme that he had to complete before progressing through the system.

 

All these factors gave birth to the practice of Rehearsals for Life - to explore the possibilities of using bespoke methods of drama, forum theatre and other activities to understand snap decision making, choice, emotional change, self-esteem, meeting aspirations,  victim empathy, identity, relationships and restorative justice.

​

Street Cones brings together people with lived experience of 'the system', of depression and intimidation, as well as professional and creative practitioners to facilitate and deliver our Rehearsals for Life programmes.

 

Our Cones (as we know them) deliver “Rehearsals for Life” workshops crafted with our unique take on the methodology of forum theatre, inspired by Augusto Boal, Theatre of the Oppressed.

 

We believe improvising life and using drama as therapy, and rehearsing life through our bespoke drama workshops, in a safe and stress free space supports change; behaviourally and mentally. 

 

We believe using alternative methods as form of 'therapy',  like fishing, running and baking, can stimulate the brain, change your thinking, create confidence and build positivity.

 

Using safe, thought provoking techniques we can support people who are feeling marginalised, lonely, low, frustrated or simply at the end of their tether, to better understand their emotions and decision making process while enhancing self-confidence, life-purpose and positive identity.

​

Research tells us that the brain is an incredible organ, rebuilding and creating new pathways, in turn creating opportunity for new learnings and behaviours. It does not stop learning. 

 

So, rather than punishing offenders with incarceration, loneliness and limited social interaction, or sitting alone at home at night, or feeling rooted to the spot, or feeling there's nowhere to go, join us within the spaces we create for creativity, social learning, self-improvement - the brain is stimulated, participants grow and develop positively.  

 

 We re-address this and deliver hope, confidence, self-belief, self-worth and positive change.

​

Street Cones, was created by and is run by people who have walked in similar paths; marginalised, under-valued,  desolate,  and striving for  self-belief, confidence, opportunity, recognition and trust within the Community - whichever that Community is.

 

We are able to engage with empathy, rather than sympathetically, asking questions others feel they can’t, gaining trust and being able to start to build powerful and positive relationships, which build trust, belief, self-worth and value.

 

Our purpose using theatre, ecotherapy, life skills, is to empower people living with stigma, people labelled, people feeling at their lowest ebb to trust The Cones with their stories, and to provoke discussion, hoping that policy makers, along with the powers to be, hear their voices and inspire social change and social betterment.