Fears that the longstanding community theatre ‘Vita Nova’ won’t survive through lock down have been allayed due to a securing an emergency grant from the ‘Arts Council of England’.
Vita Nova, meaning ‘New Life’, started over 21 years ago to tackle the stigma of drug and alcohol addiction.
There is a music group, a writing group and drama project run largely by those in recovery with help from ‘Theatre in Education’.
Sharon(Muiruri) Coyne, artistic director, who has years of experience in community theatre said: “What happened was I was part of ‘Bournemouth Theatre in Education Team’ and I’d been doing drugs education programme but on the final one I thought It’s not quite there, “
She came up with the idea of addicts themselves taking part not actors. So she went to the needle exchange, which led her to a dry house where she found very keen volunteers.
So Vita Nova was born in 1999. The idea was to take a play to schools and educate young people about drugs and alcohol with a message from those who had suffered and not the authorities.
Sharon said: “It was only meant to last a month but then the group decided they wanted to continue.”
She went on to say that it not only benefitted the school kids, who have given very positive feedback, but it was having a huge benefit for the people taking part.
Members of ‘Vita Nova’ have nothing but enthusiastic praise for the project and say it has helped them a lot.
Delia, who took part for 2 years from 2002 and now, due to redundancy, has been involved for a further 2 months, said: “I went back to ‘Vita Nova’ because I knew how good it was.”
She added that she was ‘having fun doing the play and the workshops are always fun’.
However she exclaimed there was a serious message to convey to children about the perils of alcohol and drug addiction.
Libby, a participant and trustee joined 11 years ago and has never looked back. She said she has had: “Opportunities that she would otherwise wouldn’t have had.”
She went on to say: “It has given me a hell of a lot.”
Lockdown has not deterred those involved. It was feared that when it ended the group would no longer exist but Sharon said: “The group is strong, supporting each other and creating.”
During their isolation members have expressed gratitude for the project which is using ‘Zoom’ meetings to keep up morale.
Delia said: “(It’s) very helpful. 2 days a week for a couple of hours. So it takes up a whole afternoon’”
Libby Said” “I’ve enjoyed the ‘Zoom’ meetings. She went on to say that they also helped her to become involved in the music group.
The grant from the arts council has been a positive boost and it is now hoped Vita Nova will carry on with its message.
Before the grant was announced there were fears for Vita Nova’s future. Sharon said that it will be creating new work as well as taking the theatre into prisons. But she said: “None of that can really happen until we have more security financially.”
So the grant has given new hope and all involved are grateful.
Sharon said: “I am personally delighted. It means that ‘Vita Nova’ has been recognised for the work they do creatively.”
Delia was equally enthusiastic: “I think it is fantastic news because it means that ‘Vita Nova’ can continue doing good work in the community.”
And Libby said: “Fabulous. Absolutely what we needed to boost morale.”
Now there is hope for the continuation of the good work and maybe more.
Sharon said” “We are ready now to take the next step into really getting going to a different level.”
By Gerry member of vita Nova
If you are in recovery form drug or alcohol abuse or if you feel that you may be able to support the group in anyway please get in touch
Vita Nova: [email protected]
