Where I Belong
15 years, who knew when I started TramShed at 13 years old I would still be here 15 years on. I have had the privilege of watching TramShed grow over the years, whilst growing up myself. When I first met the arts team back in an outreach session in 2007 at school, I don’t think I could of every imagined what TramShed will bring to my life. I have always been a person to promote inclusion and always enjoyed being on stage, what better place to have a combination of both.
Vicky Leake and Charlie Hudson
Through the years at TramShed I have played many different roles in shows, I think it is fair to say there have been some challenging roles and some hilarious roles. From a bearded woman, a donkey and a villain and many more. I have seen first-hand the shows over the years develop into beautiful pieces of theatre like no one else could imagine, everyone is included, and everyone has their chance to shine. No session, rehearsal or show is the same, but has inclusion at the core.
I feel lucky to have had all these years, TramShed has been so much more than a theatre group to me. TramShed is my family, my home. Through the highs and the lows, TramShed have been there for me. When I was 18, I became homeless, the arts team and members made sure I had somewhere safe to sleep; they gathered food parcels for me and supported me through my struggles with my mental health and throughout my homeless journey. When I had managed to secure my own accommodation and even started university, I became pregnant with my daughter Abigail. TramShed went above and beyond to support me to become the mother I am today. Now Abigail is a member of TramShed in the children’s theatre and absolutely adores being there. She is fully dedicated to inclusion and to TramShed and especially enjoys learning sign language in her sessions, Abigail even teaches me! There is nowhere better for Abigail to learn and see inclusion at its best.
Over the past few years, I became a volunteer with the young adults, and this has to be my one of favourite parts of being involved with TramShed. Supporting others to embrace inclusive theatre and just to enjoy their time in each session is extremely rewarding. Seeing a member on their first visit, shy and quiet, to then performing on stage or even contributing in sessions with ideas and so much confidence, it makes little butterflies of happiness to see how far all the members have come and how they flourish. Every member grows and flourishes even more each week. I don’t believe anywhere else could achieve this like TramShed does. I can stand back, observe the group, and see how happy everyone is to be there, to be included, to be somewhere they belong and to be whom they want to be. TramShed has no limits to producing inclusive theatre and anyone that hasn’t seen our productions, are really missing out.
I generally don’t know what I would have done without TramShed or do without TramShed, what would I do on a Tuesday evening? I would be lost without TramShed. A member, a volunteer, and a parent, and each role contributes to my life in so many different ways.
Now I have achieved my degree and overcome so many barriers myself. I am now coordinating a lived experience team for under 30 for the Fylde coast. I can say for sure my experience of inclusion within TramShed throughout the past 15 years plays a massive part in my role. I share my inclusive knowledge with everyone I know and even have had TramShed deliver Inclusive training to my team at work.
I am proud to say I have been involved for 15 years and can’t wait to see what the next 15 years will bring, how TramShed will grow even more and expand to something even greater than it already is.
I will be forever grateful for everything TramShed has done for me and for everything they have achieved for members. TramShed is a family, TramShed is my home, it’s where I belong.
#15yearstogether
Vicky Leake
Adult Company Member & Volunteer