Childline Gibraltar in theatre workshops

A series of storytelling and theatre workshops  have been organised for this week by Childline Gibraltar. The events will deal with issues around family relationships as  part of Childline’s Preventative Educational Strategy.

This week-long activity is aimed at young people (over the age of 12) and adults (who work with young people)  and is funded by the Kusuma Trust, and the Trestle Theatre Company.

The workshops will be delivered by the UK based Trestle Theatre Company, a mask and physical theatre company, with a highly regarded arts education programme, during their second visit to Gibraltar.

“The company has been making innovative and inspirational physical theatre and participation projects since 1981. Over the years, they have had excellent collaborations with artists from all over the world which have inspired the evolution of the work that they create,” said a spokesperson for Childline Gibraltar.

Trestle is one of the leading providers of school workshops, teacher training and participation projects since they have started and their mission is to engage children, young people and adults in creative activity, which aims to enhance the cultural quality of their experiences. Trestle successfully delivered workshops once before on the Rock at both Bayside and Westside Secondary Schools back in 2013.

The workshops for young people aim to enable and equip the participants with the appropriate tools to talk about their emotions in a positive way.

“They also aim to help young people deal with issues that Childline Gibraltar’s Helpline Services has identified, as well as incorporating feedback from youth workers and teachers, by expressing their creative side through storytelling and theatre play. These issues include family breakdown, parental alienation and emotional abuse,” added the spokesperson.

The practitioners’ workshops aim to explore other productive ways that professionals can help children and young people deal with sensitive issues especially those involving their families and family members.

“Family breakdown is an increasing concern for Childline Gibraltar as last year 29 % of calls made to the Helpline concerned this topic. The charity believes that the family is the core unit of society, where every member can feel secure and loved. Every family is unique and made up of different people with different needs, ideas and ways of behaving. Sometimes these differences can create conflict from within and might lead to family members hurting each other emotionally or physically. It can be hard to know what to do especially if you are a young person.”

Childline has consulted the Department of Education, Bayside, Westside and the Youth Service and all have expressed interest in referring young people to the workshops. The Care Agency, other groups and organisations have also been made aware of the workshops.

If anyone would like to participate in the workshops or would like more information or further resources to help you decide, please call the Childline office on 200-43503 or email education@childline.gi.