DTC and Daventry Fire Station Promote Positive Youth Engagement

On Tuesday 12th March 2019, the Solomon Theatre Company visited students at The Parker E-Act Academy in Daventry as part of Daventry Fire Station and Daventry Town Council's partnership working to enhance youth engagement.

Using great drama, The Solomon Theatre Company brings to life serious issues using great drama. Founded in 2003, their shows focus on drug abuse, alcohol consumption crime, relationships, the law and gangs, employing theatre to communicate, educate and re-educate the severity of these issues to schools across the UK.

The Solomon Theatre Company performed their production of 'Skin Deep' at The Parker E-Act on Tuesday, which was funded by DTC, to pupils from various years. The performances key messages focused on gangs, the consequences of joining one, and knife crime, along with challenging thinking and developing understanding when it comes to extremism and prejudice.

Duncan Timbs, Crew Commander for Daventry Fire Station said, "With increased levels of anti-social behaviour in Northamptonshire, our youth engagement projects are more important than ever. By educating children and young people to the dangers of gangs and violence we are confident that this will act as a deterrent.

The Solomon Theatre Company can portray real issues in a way that young people can understand without being too overwhelming. The knife crime element of the production also sits hand in hand with this year's county schools challenge that we're involved with alongside Northamptonshire Police and DSLV academy."

Deborah Jewell, Chief Officer for Daventry Town Council said, "Our partnership work with Daventry Fire Station's youth engagement is an ongoing project. Anti-social behaviour, to include gang culture and knife crime are serious issues and by utilising alternative methods of education, such as theatre, these strong messages are conveyed to promote positive change and healthy lifestyles."