A resource devised in response to self harm in young people
The Package 2016
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Fix This – a one woman show approx 30 mins in length suitable for young people in Years 9,
10 & 11 or staff
A 30 minute workshop with structured exercises to enable sensitive and inclusive discussion
A Teacher Resource Pack including background information, lesson plans for PHCE wellbeing
and mental health delivery, contact information for local services and online resources
Fix This tackles the difficult issue of self harm amongst young people through a one woman show
supported by a workshop for pupils or staff (workshop held separately) and a Teacher Resource
Pack. It has been devised in response to the fact that self harm has become an increasing issue
within the Leeds area.
The performer plays the part of 3 female characters. Bex is 15, awkward but proud, tongue-tied
but articulate. She pushes every boundary with her appearance and her peers are aware that she
may self harm and steer clear much of the time. Sam, though is slim, cool and fashionable who has
learnt how to be invisible. And Fran, a 37 supply teacher, who despite her firm, in control
appearance has a melt-down, triggered by learning that her own teenage son is taking part in high
risk behaviour precipitated by a crisis in his life that he feels unable to share with his mother.
This is a hard hitting show that does not shy away from the issues and the supporting materials
recognise that self harm is a challenging area for everyone.
The Resource Pack acknowledges how complex the issues are and how difficult an issue it is to raise
and address with young people. It contains resources designed to give teachers confidence to
effectively discuss self-harm with young people.
Written by:
Directed by:
Resource Pack:
Emma Adams
Sarah Applewhite
Sarah Spanton
Performed by:
Design Consultant:
Nicola Etoria
Barney George
Leeds Media Centre, 21 Savile Mount, Leeds, LS7 3HZ T: 0113 3200159 E: [email protected]
Charity no: 1105268
Background
Fix This has been written in consultation with young people, some with lived experience of selfharm. Emma Adams the writer held a number of workshops with students at Brigshaw High School,
The Market Place and Shout Out, (a collective of young people who come together to advise and
support on issues or priorities on mental health for young people) part of the Research and
Development. The findings of this work have strongly influenced the content and perspective of
the play. A pilot tour was held in autumn 2014 to 10 schools and elicited positive feedback from
staff and students. A further 15 school tour took place in November 2015, reaching almost 3000
pupils.
‘I found that the performance was highly engaging and approached the complex and emotive subject
of self-harm from an interesting and though provoking perspective, through the eyes of a young
person. I think that the performance would be a useful starting point for discussion and dialogue
about self-harm, risk taking behaviour, demystifying attitudes to self-harm and challenging
stereotypes.’ Staff Feedback
Partners
Leeds Children & Young People Self-Harm Pathway Group (LCYPSHPG)
The Fix This project has been the result of an approach by the (LCYPSHPG), established in Leeds in
September 2014 in response to awareness across the system that self-harm in young people has become an
increasing issue within the Leeds area. Teachers in Leeds, and others, have reported concern about greater
numbers of young people self-harming. This multi-agency group met to develop a work programme and
carried out a series of actions.
The work programme was developed out of an evidence and data base for the work happening locally and
nationally. This helped us identify some key priorities including:
 Schools needed support for what to do when a young person has self-harmed or disclosed that they
are doing it or thinking about it.
 We need to try more creative ways to reach schools, pupils and parents.
Emma Adams, Writer
Emma is a writer in demand with experience of tackling some very challenging issues through her writing.
Emma’s writing is often fantastical and surreal, ranging from dark political satire for adults through to
adventure comedy for children. She has had three plays tour nationally: Home Sweet Home - A magicrealist, multi sensory, immersive theatre experience for older audiences, gaining a 4* review from the
Guardian (Freedom Studios), Forgotten Things, shortlisted for the 2009 Meyer-Whitworth Award and Ugly,
published by Oberon in 2010 (both Red Ladder). In 2012: Emma was Writer in Residence during West
Yorkshire Playhouse’s New Writing Season. Recent work includes: A site specific play Northern Big Board
performed in Shipley Pool (Chol / Slung Low). A one woman sci-fi show Freakoid (Nominated for an Off West
End Theatre Award 2013) performed at Ovalhouse, London and Brimming (part of The Enough Project) that
toured the north, summer 2013. Emma has recently won funding from ACE /The Peggy Ramsay Foundation
and Leeds Inspired (The Leeds City Council Arts Fund) to research and write 360º Of Hope, a new play about
a Parkour gang and their modern day epic adventure to find hope or die trying (produced by DepArts,
Directed by Alan Lane and Designed by Barney George).
Leeds Media Centre, 21 Savile Mount, Leeds, LS7 3HZ T: 0113 3200159 E: [email protected]
Charity no: 1105268
You can find out more on her blog http://telltaleemma.blogspot.co.uk/
Technical Requirements
Fix This is designed for a classroom setting with a desk and table for the performer to use.
Suitable for Years 9, 10 & 11
Please note this is a hard hitting play and whilst the resource is not designed to elicit disclosures,
we would expect the school’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice to be implemented should a young
person need additional support following the performance.
We can come in to school for a day to work with whole year groups as part of PHSCE days, as long
as you have 3 teaching spaces available – hall, classrooms or drama studios. We will deliver 3
performances each followed by 3 workshops to groups of 30.
Or we can deliver 1 or 2 performances with follow up workshops for targeted pupils or performing
arts students. We can be flexible to meet the needs of the school, so please just ask us and we’ll
see what’s possible.
All students who watch the performance must attend a workshop.
To Book
Fix This is available to book from:
31 October – 2 December 2016
We can offer a 1 day package FREE to High schools, however, we will require a £100 returnable
deposit, which will be returned once all the evaluation reports are received. The Tour is funded by
NHS Leeds CCGs.
The expected commitment from schools is:
 Pre-meeting that includes completion of a very short questionnaire approx. 30 mins
 Suitable classroom spaces that meet the technical requirements
 Test drive the Teachers Resource Pack – it’s best if the lead teacher is familiar with the
contents before the show arrives in school
 Facilitation and collection of young people’s feedback
 Completion of a final evaluation report or phone evaluation by relevant staff member
For more information or to book contact:
Dawn Fuller at Space2
[email protected]
T: 0113 3200159 x 2
M: 07899 998195
Leeds Media Centre, 21 Savile Mount, Leeds, LS7 3HZ T: 0113 3200159 E: [email protected]
Charity no: 1105268