Shine - a Drama Based Arts and Education Project in Leicester

Pictured are partners of the Shine Programme, Leicester

Leicester’s award winning Curve theatre and the Randal Foundation, in partnership with Sunrise Wellbeing and De Montfort University are creating a new framework for arts-based mental health and wellbeing support that will be implemented by arts organisations and educational institutions. Shine, a three-year project will support mental health and wellbeing of young people in Leicester through drama-based initiatives.

Aim:  to address the mental health and wellbeing crisis amongst young people in some of Leicester’s most disadvantaged communities.

A steering group is attached to this ambitious project which includes the Secretary of State for Education Baroness Morgan of Cotes, MP for Leicester South. 

Shine is supported by the founders of Matriarch Productions: actors Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters, who have become Patrons of the project.

Sessions for the Shine programme began in October 2025 with 250 teenagers from five Leicester city centre schools currently involved.

The results of the programme will be analysed by researchers at Leicester’s De Montfort University and will inform national policy. 

Curve is a state-of-the-art theatre based in the heart of Leicester’s vibrant Cultural Quarter. It has produced, presented and toured award-winning musicals, plays, new works, and dance, which sits alongside a vibrant community and learning programme. Is supported using public funding by principal funder Arts Council England and is under the leadership of Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster. https://www.curveonline.co.uk

Randal Charitable Foundation has a clear vision to save and significantly improve the lives of one million people globally, founded by Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL and Moni Kotecha www.randalfoundation.org.uk

Sunrise Wellbeing is a not-for-profit small business – a social enterprise to maximise the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and adults. https://www.sunrisewellbeing.co.uk

De Montfort University (DMU) Leicester has been delivering outstanding education for 150 years, with campuses around the world https://www.dmu.ac.uk

Matriarch Productions is an award winning entertainment production company founded by actors Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters. The company was established in 2020 with the aim of providing a much-needed platform for underrepresented voices and stories in the UK https://www.matriarch-productions.co.uk