Better mental health for all performance
You’ll need
Before you begin
- The person leading the activity should give a copy of the 'Drama performance script' to each member of the group.
Run the activity
- Everyone should split into small teams. The person leading the activity should select a passage from the 'Drama performance script' script for each team.
- Each small team should decide who says what from their passage and how they are going to perform it. Some groups might wish to sing their passage to a tune together, while some might like to act out a scenario that relates in some way to what they are saying. Give the groups about ten minutes to decide what they are going to do and another ten minutes rehearsal time.
- The person leading the activity should get the groups in the order that the passages are listed on the script. Starting with ‘Narrator 1,’ the groups should perform their passages together, finishing with ‘Narrator 9.’
This activity helps contribute towards some of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Find out more about the SDGs, and how Scouts across the world are getting involved.
Reflection
The group have learned a passage from a script about mental health. From either their own passage or one of the others, did anyone learn anything new about mental health? Will they take what they have learned with them to pass on to someone in need - perhaps someone who finds it more difficult to ask for help?
After learning their individual passages, the group performed their routines together. Did everyone enjoy the performance? What different ways did the group think of to deliver their passage?
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
- Active games
The game area should be free of hazards. Explain the rules of the game clearly and have a clear way to communicate that the game must stop when needed. Take a look at our guidance on running active games safely.
Budding actors may wish to hide their scripts for the performance if they have learned their lines. Remind them to take the scripts away with them again when your meeting ends, so that they can see the other passages.
Less confident groups could read their passage out together or do a routine with prompts from the person leading the activity.
Make sure that performance routines are suitable for performing/watching for those with sensory differences.
Make sure that the person leading the activity has appropriate mental health guidance.
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
The group could rehearse their performances together and prepare themselves to perform again in front of family and friends.
Discover more at https://www.mind.org.uk/
Allow groups to decide themselves how they perform their part of the script.