Hortus Lodge

Chickenshed's production, "Day 1 – Big School," was created and devised around the words and opinions of 1,000 primary school-age children. They shared their insights on how to create safer environments for children, free from negative influences, bullying, and exploitation.

Through the use of dance, music, rap, and drama, this production portrays the journey of two young cousins in search of the safest school possible. It tackles challenging issues in a manner that encourages conversation and discussion within a positive setting. The accompanying workshop complements the performance by promoting learning outcomes and fostering children's understanding of what constitutes a safe space.

Paul Morrall, Executive Director of Education Training and Outreach said:

“Chickenshed are going to use the £7,850 grant provided by London Freemasons to visit,  perform and educate children in schools from at risk areas and in at risk situations in ways to avoid exploitation, the early stages of potential gang recruitment, bullying and group/clique bullying alongside other barriers to their inclusion in school in general and secondary school in particular. The transition between primary and secondary school is often identified as one of the periods of difficulty, alienation and exploitation by gangs and/or abusers. Chickenshed's production and project was created and developed as a direct response to information from police, education and social services. We will use the project as a Safeguarding tool which meets the best education standards and which can be disseminated to wide target groups within organisations. We will reiterated to schools and young people from target groups to look for ways to communicate regularly with their Trusted Persons and Mentors particularly when they want to ask vital questions about Safeguarding, exploitation and the bullying that can lead to so many negative outcomes”

Paul King from the London Freemasons said:

“Creating safe environments, free of bullying and exploitation for children is vital to improving the communities that we all live and work within in London.  We are very proud to support the work that CHICKENSHED does and the results that they create for the community.”