For Theatre Partners

Theatre making, making a difference!

More than 20% of children and young people in the UK – around 2 million – struggle with talking and understanding words. In areas of disadvantage this figure can rise sharply, with up to half of children starting school with speech and language skills below age expectations.

The good news is that theatre makers and creative practitioners are uniquely placed to make a real difference. The skills at the heart of theatre‑making – storytelling, listening, embodiment, play and imagination – are powerful tools for supporting children’s communication and confidence.

As well as helping children we are in a unique position to help schools. In February 2026 the government published the schools white paper Every Child Achieving and Thriving, calling for a broader curriculum, creative entitlement for every child, and a renewed focus on drama and oracy. Speech Bubbles practice is fully aligned with this vision, and we work with theatre partners to help schools prepare with our teacher workshop programme: Inclusive-Oracy. Drama Tools For Great Communication.

“I found a voice through making theatre and am proud to be the patron of Speech Bubbles, which helps hundreds of children to do the same”

— Mark Rylance, Speech Bubbles Patron

Why Speech Bubbles?

Speech Bubbles is a joyful creative intervention that uses drama activities, story-telling and imaginative play to support children to develop communication, confidence and wellbeing.

a child struggles to understand a teacher's instructions — More than 83% of participating children show improvements in learning, speaking and listening

Source: 2022/23 Teacher Report

4 children play football happily together — Participants show statistically significant improvements in social interaction

Source: University of East London

a child stares sadly out the window — Highly effective in supporting children suffering poor social, emotional and educational wellbeing

Source: Canterbury Christ Church University

How it works

By working with a network of partners, theatre companies connect thousands of children across the country with a carefully designed drama intervention that can help.

Speech Bubbles has a proven track record both in terms of its impact on the children it works with, and the income it is able to generate from schools, funders and local authorities.

Speech Bubbles partners:

Are part of a movement that is making a difference to children’s lives.
Benefit from experience, refinement and implementation dating back to 2009.
Share best practice with others who recognise the importance of communication and drama in bringing about social change.
Access continuing support, training, supervision and resources to help as you grow.
Benefit from highly credible research, backed by data collected from schools across the whole country.

“Speech Bubbles is one of the most successful programmes I have seen offered in schools. It is carefully and efficiently managed, and every session manages to put a smile on my face. Every school should offer this programme to support the development of communication skills, and now with the Partner Network, that is becoming a distinct possibility.”

— Matt Wardle, North West Drama service

Research Reports