Coronation Street star Cherylee Houston is leading a drama project for young disabled people in Manchester.
Make drama accessible
Cherylee is Coronation Street’s first disabled actress and plays Izzy Armstrong in the soap. She is aiming to set up the disabled youth theatre group to make drama accessible for all and help disabled children reach their full potential.
Cherylee has joined forces with other like-minded artists to launch Triple C – The Creative Confidence Collective – at the Royal Exchange Theatre. They decided to set the group up after government cuts which they fear have left many disabled people feeling like ‘prisoners in their own homes’.
Prisoners in their own homes
“The aim is to never leave anyone behind and to engage.”
Speaking about the project, Cherylee said: “Young people in Manchester with high support needs are no longer entitled to full time care.
“Unless you’re a danger to yourself, you’re only entitled to help with washing, dressing, a ready meal and being put back to bed at a time assigned by the council.
“Throughout Manchester there are disabled people who are prisoners in their own homes because all the access that has been implemented over the years has been taken away by this government.
“In many cases young people have lost their access to education, work and a social life.”
Seeking funding
The group is currently seeking funding and sponsorship from local businesses and has the motto ‘To Never Leave Anyone Behind’ reflecting their aim for total inclusiveness.
Cherylee, who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which affects joints and leaves sufferers in chronic pain, added: “We want to make sure that theatre is accessible to everyone.
“People are being denied the ability to learn their full potential and we’re trying to stop them from becoming prisoners in their own home.
“The aim is to never leave anyone behind and to engage.”
The group hopes to be able to host weekly drama classes for all age groups in disabled schools across Manchester. If you’d like to find out more or would like to join or support the theatre group, email triplecmanchester@gmail.com.
