Discover how Headway East London’s drama group brought stories of brain injury to life through a powerful performance
At Headway East London we support over 800 people living with brain injury, family and carers across 13 London Boroughs.
We provide vital services including therapy, advocacy and community support work, and every week we welcome 200 of our members (what we call our service users) to our centre in Hackney: a creative community where they can make the most of their abilities and interests. From our on-site art studio, Submit to Love, to music and writing groups, and a professional kitchen – there’s plenty of ways to get creative at Headway.
In December 2024 we began a drama project with our members to devise and produce work inspired by their experiences of life after brain injury.
Members and Tiiu at one of the drama workshops at Headway East London
The benefits of a drama group
Our drama group project was funded by Cultural Hackeny and led by theatre maker Tiiu Mortley, who has lived experience of brain injury.
Tiiu supported members to put their ideas and ambitions into practice through a series of 12 workshops at our centre on Tuesdays.
The focus of this project was on skills learning, so that members were inspired to continue creating once the project has ended, and to take the techniques they’ve learned into their lives to help with the day-to-day challenges of living with disability.
“I used to speak English perfectly, but since my brain injury I struggle with my voice, and I don’t feel confident. The drama group is helping me to express myself and regain confidence.” Lina – Member
After a previous drama project called Thank You For Reminding Me, which culminated in a performance at the Barbican in July 2022, members have been asking for more drama workshops at Headway East London; and we hope this project can build the case for drama to become part of our permanent service offer.
Making theatre can provide an effective tool for exploring difficult subjects, whilst having a great time and knowing that by telling your story, you can help others in the wider community by increasing visibility of brain injury.
Read our interview with the brilliant Tiiu Mortley here.
Our member Lina told her stories at Chats Palace in a scene with volunteer Tom
The performance
The project culminated in an informal performance at Chats Palace on 6 March, called This Is Not A Performance…This Is Us!
The performance gave our members the possibility to show a different side of them to family, friends and the public, centring them as the ‘experts’ in their own brain injury.
With an audience of over 70 people, it was a powerful showcase of music, creativity, movement, and visual art.
Great storytelling, courage, authenticity and a sense of humour were just some of the key ingredients that made this show truly unforgettable.
Through this production, our members not only shared their talents but also challenged perceptions, shedding light on the realities of life after brain injury and the transformative power of community in the recovery journey.
Our members performing at Chats Palace in March 2025
This is what the audience said about the show:
“It was such a lovely variety and it was so wonderful to see everyone’s performance and hear their stories. It was lively, colorful and moving, and the stories were very powerful.”
“I’ve learned a lot more about brain injuries and how people get through it. I feel like Headway is such a good community.”
“This is something that needs to continue. It helps people reflect on how far they’ve come and what they’ve achieved. Tonight, they’ve drawn a line in the sand for themselves, and that’s absolutely beautiful.”
We are delighted to share the full performance with you! Watch it here!
Are you interested in collaborating creatively with Headway East London? Email our Public Engagement and Communication Manager Claire Stone at claire.stone@headwayeastlondon.org
Would you like to find out more about our rich public programme of events? Sign up to our newsletter!
