Curious Monkey, North East England

Curious Monkey’s Troupe is a group for looked after young people and those who have left care aged 14-25 years living in the North East of England. The programme aims to improve the wellbeing and life chances of looked after young people/care leavers, and position young people’s voices where they can be heard by people who have the power to make positive changes.

The funding from the Kavli Trust will enable the Troupe programme to address these aims through three strands of activity: cultural experiences, creative participation, training and advocacy.

Over the next two years, the programme will see the participants attend regular theatre trips, undertake backstage tours, participate in workshops and masterclasses with artists, gain work shadowing opportunities, create a 360 film which will empower young people to tell others outside of the care system what needs to change.

The support from the Trust has also allowed the Curious Monkey to employ a dedicated member of staff to support the project.

More about this project

  • Continued support to Curious Monkey and young people telling their stories on stage

    September 22, 2022

    A new agreement of 150,000 Euro ensures continuation and development of Curious Monkey's Troupe project, allowing young people with experience of the care system to develop their skills, creativity and self-esteem through theatre. The next Troupe play will be on in October.

  • Watching life through the eyes of a young person in care

    October 15, 2020

    A Curious Monkey film project using VR technology has proved to give a moving account of what it is like to be a young person in the care system. Three new films are now being made to train staff working with young people.

  • Building creativity and self-esteem in young people

    October 15, 2020

    The theatre company Curious Monkey's Troupe project brings together young people, with experience of being in care, to develop their creativity and self-esteem. "The support from Kavli Trust has been a game changer", says Amy Golding, artistic director of Curious Monkey.

  • Improving life chances of looked after young people

    November 16, 2018

    With funding from the Kavli Trust, the Curious Monkey will improve the wellbeing and life chances of looked after young people and care leavers, offering cultural experiences, creative participation, training and advocacy.