Creative boost to young people through inclusive performing arts programme

The Share Foundation has announced that Stepping Forward: Performing Arts for Life, the popular online performing arts and life skills series for young people in care, will soon be opening to all young people, schools, education settings and youth provisions across the UK.

Arts enrichment is widely known to provide lifelong benefits such as building confidence, well-being and resilience. With the UK in the midst of a youth mental health crisis and the current NEET rate (Not in Education, Employment or Training) of 16 to 24 year olds at 12.5 per cent (923,000 young people in 2025), it is essential that all young people can access the tools they need to directly support their future education, job prospects and career stability, but also their emotional wellbeing.

This online performing arts for all series,Stepping Forward: Explore the Performing Arts, was created in partnership with Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and the Rothschild Foundation. It gives young people aged 13 to 17 years the opportunity to learn acting, singing, dancing, and backstage arts skills in a relaxed, inclusive way. This creative course will give young people access to the performing arts, with The Share Foundation committing to reinvesting all financial proceeds back into the core version for young people in care.

The cost per individual student for the Stepping Forward: Explore programme will be £30, with discounted fees available for group purchases, for example, an entire school class or year group. The charity is keen to ensure that this new offering continues to provide young people in care with free access to the programme and the opportunity to benefit from the ‘earn as you learn’ element, a key advantage for those most in need.

Chris Kenna, Trustee at The Share Foundation, Creative AI entrepreneur and CEO of MediaStreamAI.com and keynote speaker comments: ‘As a care leaver myself, I was keen to get involved with this initiative, which has already been supporting many young people at a pivotal stage in their lives. The power of the arts can be transformative, helping to build a solid foundation for any path you take in life, whether that’s in education, work, or personal life. It nurtures emotional well-being and a sense of belonging and self-worth, which is vital in the world today for shaping the resilient young people of tomorrow.’

With industry professionals including Zoe Lister (Hollyoaks, The Worst Witch), Pandora Christie (Heart Radio), Mo Jamil (The Voice UK), and Emeka Sesay (Top Boy & The Power) on board, the course promotes confidence, creativity, and communication skills, with each episode in the series focusing on a different theme. There are a series of brilliantly engaging short videos, exclusive professional-led workshops, quizzes, opinion-seeking questions to help the young people develop ideas and lots of useful resources, including how those studying the course can take their performing arts skills further.

Josie Rylance, Stepping Forward Project Coordinator, explains: ‘We have seen such success with the original Stepping Forward programme through our work with local authorities, and the life-changing impact it has already had on young people in care, that we were determined to make it available to all young people across the UK. We can’t wait to help more young performers discover their voice and build those all-important skills for their future. It is amazing what can be achieved with the right support in place, so whether you’re a teacher, youth worker, parent/guardian or young person, do get in touch to find out more.’

Someone who knows first hand how powerful the performing arts can be is 15-year-old Matthew (pictured), a young person in care who has recently completed the original programme through his Local Authority, Telford and Wrekin: ‘As a music lover I was keen to take part in this programme to not only expand my music knowledge but also learn more about the wider performing arts such as lighting and stage direction. Stepping Forward is a great introduction to these areas, which I never would have had the chance to experience before. The course has definitely helped my self-esteem and confidence too, and I’m so pleased that many more young people will now get the chance to take part.’

Simon Larter-Evans, Trustee at The Share Foundation and former Principal of Tring Park School for the Performing Arts said: ‘I have been involved with Stepping Forward right from the start and look on with pride at how this project has already impacted young people in care and evolved into something that all young people are now able to engage in. Performing arts is not just an extracurricular activity, but a vital component of a well-rounded education and by giving schools and youth provisions access to this series, it will further support the fantastic work they are already doing. I can’t wait to see what the next 12 months will bring.’

For more information or to register your interest please visit Stepping Forward: Explore – Register Your Interest.