Our impact: Case Study
Vanessa and Cheryl
“The best part about Open Clasp is that they never judged me. They were compassionate and always made time for me. I loved taking part in the process. But I’m going to be honest, it was painful, emotional and heartbreaking.”
“Working with Open Clasp, I have overcome a lot. I was able to write a letter and meet the social worker who removed my children. She also watched the play online. The process was hard at the same time due to our experiences and the trauma of losing our children. The effects of domestic abuse, even after trying to leave, after the loss of our children, and how they still manipulate us. When I was in that situation, I felt as though no one was listening to me. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am so grateful I was allowed to be part of it.”
Vanessa, co-creator of Lasagna and Gold Star Member
In 2013, I went to prison for 3 years. In that time, I met Open Clasp. They wanted to know what got me to this place and about my life. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to, but the love and respect they showed me, I gladly poured out my heart. The best bits for me were getting everything off my chest, I felt I’d been in therapy, but the best type of therapy. I think the girls and I helped Open Clasp gain a better understanding of our lives and the difficult things that have happened.
I don’t know what would have happened to me if I hadn’t met this company, and I certainly don’t know what would have happened to me if I hadn’t met them again once I came out. Open Clasp was my saviour in my relationship, helping to bring my daughter and me back together through the play, and we acted it out ourselves. This is my family.
Cheryl, co-creator of Key Change & Don’t Forget the Birds and Gold Star Member
The impact of our work has brought us recognition in the intersection of theatre and social justice. Theatre can and does save lives. You have to care to make a change. Through our work, audiences step into the characters’ shoes on stage and see the world through a gendered lens. Our outcomes fall into three areas;
- Powerful personal change for the women we work with. They experience greater self-esteem, individual empowerment, and confidence, learning new skills & approaches through our creative workshops and activities. In some cases, participants gain an accredited qualification.
- Institutional change occurs as we incorporate the lived experiences of women and girls into debates, discussions, and training, which we deliver using theatre to prison staff, police officers, social workers, and other professionals who can aid social inclusion.
- Policy level change as our work informs the public and educates policymakers.
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Community groups, universities and schools partnered with
