Warwick Helps Bring a Song and a Smile to Socially Disadvantaged and Homeless Performers
By Community Correspondent
Socially disadvantaged and homeless performers from Underground Lights community theatre group have been exploring a range of new creative skills on a collaboration project with The University of Warwick.
Working alongside local musicians and the University’s Theatre and Performance Studies department during a six-week musical co-creation project, the group have composed songs with themes and lyrics that are meaningful to their lives – and are now preparing for their first public performance together.
Run for and by adults who are experiencing homelessness, mental health distress, or social isolation, Underground Lights runs relaxed but vibrant ‘Creative Cafés’ and drama workshops in a safe and supportive environment, where people can try new performing arts activities and meet others in a low-pressure and friendly setting.
Nadine Holdsworth, Professor of Theatre and Performance at The University of Warwick, said: “Underground Lights is a wonderful organisation that welcomes everyone and provides a platform for a diverse group of people who have felt ignored and marginalised in society to come together to learn new skills, increase their confidence and build a mutually supportive community. This performance will be truly unique – don't miss it!”
Group participant John told how his issues with drink and drugs led him to being “in and out of jail for 30 odd years” and becoming homeless “more times than I can remember”, but is now in recovery, partly thanks to the rehabilitative power of community performing arts.
John commented: “It’s like a second home to me, Underground Lights. For my personal journey it's been a great help. I’ve done loads of stuff with them. I'm a rapper now, and I don't have to write my lyrics, because I spent 20 years when I was in jail writing them.”
Fellow participant Johnny discovered Underground Lights when he was living in hostels, and explained how the group has helped him make friends and discover more about himself and his talents:
“Recently I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD so Underground Lights gave me a good outlet working through some of my issues and memories. It led me to my passion for music, and learning how to DJ.
“I’ve now worked as a DJ and been paid for it. It’s been weird going from sofa surfing and homelessness and living in hostels, to having a one bed place, getting married, living in a three-bed house and meeting a bunch of people that have been through the same experiences, and everyone exploring their own individuality and talents – it’s really been an eye-opener.”
Johnny now hopes to apply to study music at university.
The group will be publicly sharing their work at Coventry Central Hall at 4pm on Wednesday 2 April 2025; the performance will be attended by the High Sheriff of the West Midlands, Douglas Wright MBE.
The project will culminate in a small-scale co-created exhibition that captures the processes and outcomes of the creative workshop phase. Exhibition visitors are warmly invited to the Creative Learning Space at Warwick Arts Centre on Thursday 15th May at 5pm.
Funded through Warwick Institute of Engagement, the project is supported by Professor Holdsworth and postgraduate students from The University of Warwick’s Theatre and Performance Studies department, who have documented the significance and impact of the trauma-informed, participatory, inclusive and co-created methodologies central to the work Underground Lights undertakes. Nadine Holdsworth was honoured with the High Sheriff’s award earlier in March 2025 for her inspiring work on the project.
