Our Mission
Leading Players are a dynamic and exciting drama group led by adults with learning disabilities from across Warwickshire. We are based at the Owen Street Community Arts Centre in Atherstone, Warwickshire, meeting every Thursday from 10.45 a.m to 1.45 p.m. Our aim is to tackle the issues that affect people with learning disabilities through drama and the arts. We work within the community to raise awareness, breaking down barriers and misconceptions to make lives better for everyone.
The idea of creating a drama group began as a dream in December 2010 by two people with a vision. Whilst working as advocates they could see that their dream could be turned into a reality, In April 2011, along with five other committed people with a passion for drama and a strong desire to explore learning disability issues using the arts, Leading Players was born.
“Not only do we learn new skills and have great fun but also showcase the rights and choices of adults with learning disabilities. Drama is a very powerful way of expressing and demonstrating our feelings, it is very empowering and builds our confidence.”
- Robert Greaves, Spokesperson.
We continue to grow from strength to strength, embarking on a variety of new and exciting projects each year. This year we celebrate our 13th birthday and have a membership of 16. In 2015 we became a Registered Charity. Recently this year we had a documentary filmed about us which you can see here.
A Steering Committee of 8 members and the group facilitator plan the running of the group by discussing ideas and making decisions about everything that we do. Everyone has their say. We have an Annual Review each January and form a new action plan for the year ahead. A folder of evidence is kept which records our achievements. We encourage and support each other to express ourselves and are always looking for new and creative opportunities.
Dawn Teagles is the group facilitator. She is a Trustee, secretary, drama teacher and unpaid volunteer. During the weekly workshops she is supported by 4 unpaid, volunteer helpers.
We are governed by 4 Trustees who oversee the running of the group and report to the Charity Commission and ensure policies and procedures are followed at all times to include safeguarding.
