AWARD-winning community theatre organisation Footlights is piloting an intensive schools and community programme in Trafford, aiming to keep young people safe and raise awareness of domestic abuse.

Delivery will be led by Leon Pietrzak who has recently joined Footlights from Trafford Housing Trust as its education and community ambassador.

The project will raise awareness of domestic abuse among young people, working intensely in schools, using a combined interactive and performance approach.

Aimed at Year 9 pupils, Footlights will present workshops to address contemporary issues facing teenagers, giving them the tools to make positive choices.

The group's latest work has the support of Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, who said: “I’m pleased to support the excellent work of Footlights.

"Their work brings to life complex issues such as domestic abuse and helps to provoke discussion and awareness of such difficult subjects, especially amongst children and young people. This programme encompasses social and emotional skills, resilience and capability throughout and is essential in order for them to function as effective, responsible individuals with good levels of autonomy and well-being at their core.”

Footlights Director, Jo Fisher, said: “Footlights is passionate about equipping young people with transferable life skills, and the opportunity to promote healthy relationships to them through a series of interactive workshops is invaluable to us.”

The programme also has the support of Cllr Michael Hyman, executive member for children’s services, who said: “In today’s increasingly complex world for young people, it is even more important that schools can help to tackle those issues that concern their students through having access to support packages outside the traditional sphere of school activity.

"Footlights is an excellent case in point as it uses the visual impact of context dramas, such as around domestic abuse and healthy relationships, to get its messages across. By providing different opportunities for students, they are able to experience different types of learning which will help them gain the confidence and skills they need to keep themselves safe, as they grow, learn and develop.”

Any schools interested in this programme should contact Jo Fisher on 07956 423895 or email jfisher@footlightstheatre.co.uk for more information.