Powerful drama ‘Blind Side’ tours Tameside schools to support National White Ribbon Day

Produced by Breaking Barriers and directed by Parvez Qadir, the initiative has been jointly commissioned by the Tameside Council and Greater Manchester Police to raise awareness against Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

A powerful drama production is touring Tameside schools to highlight violence against women and girls and help young people challenge harmful behaviours.

The production, by Breaking Barriers, involves a 20-minute monologue performance followed by a 30-minute facilitated workshop that allows young people to delve deeper into what VAWG means, how they can be better allies to their peers, how to spot and approach gender imbalances, and where to seek support.

It follows extensive research where Breaking Barriers spent over three months speaking to 1000 young people from primary school to college in Tameside to hear their lived experiences on VAWG. These conversations were then expertly and anonymously worked into the script by writers Nicola Schofield and Mary Cooper.

The production is supported by a pre-film, which will be watched in classrooms before children see the monologue. It will introduce them to the themes of VAWG and allow them an opportunity to discuss their thoughts on the safety of their classrooms. The production then builds upon their knowledge and gives them in-person discussion opportunities following the performance. 

Tameside Council Executive Member of Population Health Cllr Eleanor Wills said: “Helping to educate and support young people in challenging violence and harassment against women and girls is a huge step in starting to change behaviours now and in future years. I hope the young people come away from the sessions feeling informed, heard and empowered.”

Breaking Barriers Director Parvez Qadir said: "We have seen first-hand how powerful theatre and discussion can be in sharing a serious message such as VAWG with young people. At Breaking Barriers, we tackle this creatively and provide a chance for the young people to watch the story play out in front of them, followed by a structured discussion where they can learn the facts and leave the session knowing how to spot the signs of VAWG and where support is available".

As part of the wider work to support National White Ribbon Day and 16 Days of Action against Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Tameside Council and GMP created the project.

*For more information on the White Ribbon campaign, see www.whiteribbon.org.uk