Children in Need theatre group helps youth thrive

Herts Inclusive Theatre's Ellie Short said the charity aimed to meet the needs of all its budding performers

A theatre group has been helping young people with special needs gain confidence in performing thanks to the BBC Children in Need appeal.

Herts Inclusive Theatre (HIT), based in St Albans, has been running for 25 years and offers young people and adults a chance to get involved with performances and theatre activities.

The charity is supported by Children in Need, which helps allow it to organise projects across the county and in Harrow in north London.

"You create a safe space where everybody who comes here is free to be exactly who they are," explained Ellie Short, from HIT.

"It's about meeting the needs of everybody in the room; everyone feeling accepted for who they are.

"Then using creativity and a sense of belonging - and then people can thrive and they can come into the space in a way that they feel comfortable."

Grace attends the charity's workshop in Stevenage and spoke of her confidence in her creative skills

The group is running a weekly workshop in Stevenage, where budding actors have been rehearsing for a production of Treasure Island.

Grace told BBC Look East about her confidence in her creative abilities, which she has been able to sharpen due to the sessions.

"Ever since I was possibly 13 or so, I've always been wanting to actually become like either an actor or movie-maker or author," she said.

"Because I'm actually so good at making stories and film-making and acting, I don't really know which one to choose."

Kasia Truefitt, from the charity, said parents had spoken of their children thriving at the group's sessions, held across the county

Kasia Truefitt, a manager at HIT, said the charity's work gave its participants' parents a chance to feel proud too.

"Everyone is included and we get so much feedback from parents and carers that their children have never thrived so much as when they've come to HIT.

"They make friends and build confidence and they get to see their children and young people on stage, where they may never have thought they could do that.

"There really is a stage for everybody."

Members of HIT have been rehearsing for a new production of Treasure Island

HIT has already set the date for its annual Enrich Festival next year - 26 and 27 May - at Watford's Palace Theatre.

Ms Short paid tribute to the efforts of the charity's volunteers and people who donated to causes that allowed its umbrella of projects to happen.

"Every bit of funding is gratefully received - not only gratefully received, but [it's] just fundamental to these young people's lives," she added.