4.39°C I recently added a series of events for More Than One to this website, and during that process, I thought this project looked particularly good. So I contacted the organiser, Rich Chilver, to ask him to tell us more.
As I suspect, in the lead-up to the recent general election, I read a lot about how this contest might play out. Columnists championed the idea that the young vote could swing the result, and, with equal measure, the same pool of voters was criticised for being disinterested in their political duty. Here, the idea for More Than One began to take shape. Voting isn’t everything for everyone; some people want to help their community on their own terms.
I am almost thirty and do not feel comfortable saying what someone else cares about, let alone someone a decade younger than me. Forming a group right away to combat a young person’s issue just felt weird. As a writer, I am curious about what I might learn and, more importantly, how my theatre background might help not just one new organisation but a whole bunch of people go on to form new organisations or help out existing ones. I threw around some ideas with Marc De’ath at The Waiting Room and secured Arts Council funding to offer free skills workshops for 18–25-year-olds and to eventually write a play about my journey.
So, More Than One is about helping young people get new ideas off the ground, pairing people with existing organisations doing good work, and building skills we hope will help those we work with thrive. It is run by theatre makers paired with several guest speakers who have changed their communities for the better. Why theatre makers? What they do best is investigate complicated questions and encourage others to make creative solutions. They are excellent at problem-solving, positivity, and can turn a shy person into a leader in no time. So much of theatre is showing what the world could be, and that is what More Than One wants to encourage. How could we change the world for the better? Then we will bring in guest speakers whose work is already helping society, and they will share their stories with us.
What will we be doing? There will be debates paired with a wide variety of exercises to shake up preconceptions, whilst also having fun. The eight-week workshops will also adapt to the group and respond to those who want to be part of More Than One.
I am excited by what I will learn over the eight weeks of free workshops, and I am optimistic that we can play our part in supporting a group of young people. I hope many More Than One members can go on to help community groups and give not only their time but also their passion, inventiveness, and leadership. Skills which have been boosted during our time together.
So if you are 18–25, or know someone who is, and you are feeling frustrated and looking to change the community for the better, More Than One will be a great starting point. Meetings will be at The Waiting Room, Monday 17th / 24th August, Tuesday 1st September, Monday 7th / 14th / 21st / 28th September, Monday 5th October, 7.30pm–10.00pm.
Interested in knowing more? Email morethanone2015@gmail.com, or follow @morethanone2015.
This project is supported by Arts Council England, The Waiting Room and Lakeside Theatre.
