Business & Community Fund: Drama For Change

Drama for Change: Using Creativity to Spark Conversation and Create Social Impact

The Business & Community Fund exists to support projects that address real social challenges, strengthen communities and create opportunities for people to make a positive difference. One project that perfectly demonstrates the purpose of the fund is Drama for Change, an innovative initiative led by local entrepreneur and wellbeing practitioner Angela O’Hara.

Through a unique combination of storytelling, performance and community engagement, Drama for Change is giving people a platform to explore important social issues, share their experiences and encourage meaningful conversations that can lead to positive change.

A Passion For Helping Others

After building a career in social services, Angela took the courageous step of pursuing self-employment to follow her passion for supporting mental health, wellbeing and personal growth within her community.

Working with Ards Business Hub through the Go Succeed Programme, Angela developed her business skills while refining her vision for how creativity could be used as a powerful tool for personal expression and social awareness. Her commitment and determination impressed everyone she worked with.

As Angela’s Business Advisor Anne Murphy explained:

“Angela has been a diligent client, always attends appointments, always carries out and follows up on activity discussed at mentoring sessions. She is well researched, well meaning and passionate about supporting mental health and wellbeing to build confidence and acceptance in those that need help.”

That passion ultimately led to the creation of Drama for Change.

The Idea Behind Drama for Change

Drama for Change was a series of creative workshops that brought people together to explore some of the most important issues facing society today. Through guided sessions, participants learn storytelling techniques, develop confidence and collaborate to write and perform short dramatic pieces based on real-life experiences and social challenges.

Working with communities to address topics meaningful to them and their life experiences. To empower individuals to change the narrative, have a voice, tell their stories and improve wellbeing. The project is designed to raise awareness and inspire positive change to a range of issues, some examples include:

Mental health
Education
Gender stereotypes
Addiction
Social isolation
Poverty
Criminality
Health inequalities

Participants are not simply acting in a production. They are helping to shape the stories, share lived experiences, challenge stigma and create opportunities for conversation and understanding.

The programme culminates in a public performance created entirely from the workshop process, allowing important messages to reach a wider audience and encouraging collective reflection on some of the challenges affecting communities today.

Why the Business & Community Fund Supported the Project

The Business & Community Fund was created to support initiatives that deliver clear social impact across Ards and North Down. Drama for Change aligns closely with the fund’s objectives by tackling social issues, promoting inclusion and creating opportunities for personal development through community participation.

Funding was sought to deliver the comprehensive programme of workshops, rehearsals, venue hire, performance costs, videography and specialist wellbeing support. Importantly, the project also includes opportunities for participants to access professional therapeutic support and guest speakers when exploring potentially sensitive subjects.

This support allows Drama for Change to offer a safe and structured environment where individuals can express themselves creatively while building confidence and developing new skills.

One of the core principles of the Business & Community Fund is supporting people with the vision and determination to address local challenges in innovative ways. Drama for Change demonstrates exactly how community-driven ideas can create lasting social value.

Could Your Project Be Next?

Drama for Change is just one example of how the Business & Community Fund is helping local people transform ideas into projects that make a real difference. Whether your project focuses on community development, youth engagement, skills development, health and wellbeing, social inclusion or another area of positive social impact, the fund exists to help bring those ideas to life.

Through initiatives like Drama for Change, we continue to see the power of local people leading local solutions and creating stronger, more connected communities across Ards and North Down.

If you have an idea that could create meaningful social change, we would love to hear from you.

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