The Lichfield Garrick Theatre and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, Matthew Ellis, in partnership with Pedestrian, a Leicester-based educational charity, are working together touring secondary schools in Staffordshire to raise awareness of the impacts of anti-social behaviour.

The project is a free live theatre performance, the core theme of which is taking pride in your local community.

The project titled My Yard, by Therese Collins-Cann, raises awareness of different types of anti-social behaviour as well as offering solutions to behavioural and social issues.

Olivia Deane, who is leading this project on behalf of the Lichfield Garrick, commented: “A team of two actors is touring My Yard to over ten schools and youth focussed organisations with a programme of assembly performances and follow on workshops, aiming to raise awareness of what constitutes anti-social behaviour. The narrative follows a character living in a deprived estate who has lost faith with her surrounding community, and the transformation she encounters when she begins to make positive changes in her life.”

The project has been funded by a grant from The Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire. This is first time both the Lichfield Garrick and The Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire have worked together.

Matthew Ellis, Police & Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, said: “I’m delighted to be funding this evolving way of getting the message on difficult issues over to young people. In the past couple of years I’ve funded theatrical groups across Staffordshire to tackle subjects such as abuse, bullying and the risks of exploitation. They have been powerful, thought provoking plays which have focussed on the impact on all the individuals involved. My Yard will adopt the same approach which has been so successful before and I wish everyone involved a success tour with such important societal messages.”

Tim Ford, Artistic Director for the Lichfield Garrick, added: ‘We would like to thank the Office of The Police and Crime Commissioner for all their support. We are thrilled to be taking My Yard into secondary schools, some of which do not get the opportunity to see drama at first hand.”

My Yard and the accompanying workshop is touring around Staffordshire schools from 20th to 31st March.

There is some limited availability, and any interested schools or organisations should contact Olivia Deane by emailing olivia.deane@hotmail.co.uk