Shine

Shine, a three-year collaboration between Curve and the Randal Foundation, is a groundbreaking arts and education project that aims to address the mental health and wellbeing crisis amongst young people in some of Leicester’s most disadvantaged communities.

Shine will be led by Curve and the Randal Foundation, along with a steering group including former Secretary of State for Education Baroness Morgan of Cotes, MP for Leicester South Shockat Adam and Richard Mitchell, Chief Executive of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group.

By working in collaboration with theatre practitioners, therapists, academics, teachers and young people, the project will explore the impact of drama-based activity as a tool to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.

The programme is supported by actors and founders of Matriarch Productions Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters, who are Patrons of Shine.

Weekly sessions for the Shine programme began in October 2025, with 250 teenagers from five Leicester city centre schools – Fullhurst Community College, The Herewoode Academy, Sir Jonathan North College, Moat Community College and The City of Leicester College – all part of the programme.

“Since the start of the programme, all students have reported doing things they hadn’t done before” – Research from De Montfort University’s Dr Lyndsey Bakewell, FHEA
“100% of teachers have seen an increase in student resilience so far” – Research from De Montfort University’s Dr Lyndsey Bakewell, FHEA
“100% of teachers saw some increase in student confidence and management of their thoughts” – Research from De Montfort University’s Dr Lyndsey Bakewell, FHEA

Throughout the programme, researchers will be gathering evidence about how drama can support teenagers’ mental health and wellbeing.

We hope this will inform mental health and education policy at a national level.

To find out more and stay up to date with the latest findings from the programme, please email learning@curvetheatre.co.uk