A theatre performance, post-show discussion, and creative presentation from theatre company Wake the Beast. 

About the event

​Join theatre company Wake the Beast and Clinical Psychologist Dr Sue Gibbons for a theatre performance, post-show discussion and creative presentation around NHS staff mental health.

In Our Own Words is an innovative NHS & Social Care staff support project. It uses creative activities and the co-creation of verbatim theatre to propel unheard voices into the national conversation on NHS staff mental health. In Our Own Words supports staff wellbeing and provides a space for the elevation of marginalised voices.

The event will take 2 hours and there will be a live performance and workshop. The performance by Wake The Beast Theatre Company is 35 minutes long, followed by a post-show discussion, and a presentation of outcome data and facilitated discussion on effective ways of utilising the arts in health settings.

Actors have performed these stories with clinical psychologists to staff in care homes, community clinics, meeting rooms and hospital wards across many sites. Wake the Beast was invited to perform ‘In Our Own Words’ at the Houses of Parliament on 25th April 2023 and is touring the project to 12 NHS Trusts across England in April 2024, including UCLH NHS Foundation Trust.

Content advice / Trigger warning
Some people may find some of the stories portrayed in the In Our Own Words performance uncomfortable, distressing or triggering. The stories are those of staff working in NHS Trusts during and since the Covid pandemic. The performance aims to portray the gravity and the lighter moments and everything in between. Please take care of yourself in the ways that you need to during the performance. Members of your Trust’s Staff Wellbeing team will be present so please speak with them about available support.