“I can't go without Blue Apple, it has become a huge part of my mental health and my life.”
Kym Nash, Blue Apple Main Company performer

Community | Communication | Confidence

Research conducted by the University of Winchester in 2023 confirms that engaging in the arts through Blue Apple has a profoundly positive impact on participants' wellbeing, social integration and skills development:

Reducing isolation
Building essential skills
Boosting confidence

Key wellbeing impacts identified in research

Blue Apple stakeholders felt Blue Apple was offering a range of highly appropriate, valuable, unique set of experiences and opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities. It was evident that stakeholders felt Blue Apple had positive effects on many aspects of wellbeing of participants. Participants were able to provide examples of the ways in which they measured their own wellbeing. These could be summarised as, but are not limited to:

Learning new skills
Demonstrating one’s abilities
Being in reciprocal relationships with other people
Having a sense of purpose
Feeling valued
Gaining confidence
Being active
Recognising one’s own feelings and regulating one’s behaviour
Being creative
Improved independence

Reducing isolation through community

Our weekly sessions provide inclusive spaces for building relationships and fostering social connections, reducing loneliness among our participants.

Blue Apple supports people who have learning disabilities to join in performing arts skills sessions and public performances. Taking part in such activities is often not open to people with learning disabilities – there are simply not enough options available to them which means they can feel excluded and socially isolated. Blue Apple provides a way for people with learning disabilities to engage in acting, dancing, singing and film, enjoy performing with others, build self-confidence and communication skills and showcase their talents.

It is now well known that loneliness and isolation have serious impacts on mental and physical health, but sadly there are fewer options for people with learning disabilities to overcome isolation. The charity Mencap has found that there are many barriers, including a lack of inclusive activities, so people with a learning disability have fewer chances to take part in leisure activities or socialise, and therefore may have fewer friends than other people. This finding is supported by research commissioned by national charity Hft, showing that for many people with learning disabilities, feeling disconnected is a longstanding experience, with a third (33%) of those surveyed saying they did not feel part of their local community.

“Blue Apple Theatre is a fantastic place to meet new people and to make friends. You have to get on with people and work together as a team. It is about trust and focus, helping others with their lines, doing my best in rehearsals as well as in performances, being positive and taking the initiative.”
Ros Davies, Blue Apple Core performer

Building on strengths and skills

From communication to technical and physical abilities, our programmes equip participants with a range of life, artistic, and employment skills, enhancing their potential.

According to NICE (National Institute for Health Care and Excellence) allowing people with learning disabilities to build and maintain relationships reduces isolation and builds on their strengths and skills. And this is what Blue Apple aims to achieve through performing arts.

Blue Apple’s Artistic Director Richard Conlon explains how the charity works:

“Blue Apple is all sorts of things to all sorts of people. We know that we can't be everything to everyone but lots of adults with a learning disability have been coming to our sessions over 17 years now, some to just test the water in terms of what they want to do in performance, some to try and be professional performers to give them the skills to do that - which they're often excluded from. For all the people involved, it increases their communication, increases their confidence and their social skills so we're trying to do all of those things through storytelling, trying to be entertaining, but trying to change the world one performance at a time. It's a wonderful charity and I'm privileged to be able to work with them.”

Nurturing confidence

Through regular activities, participants develop confidence, feel valued, and express themselves creatively.

One person who has benefited from Blue Apple is Sam, a young man in his 20s who struggles with communication and social interaction, especially in group settings and unfamiliar places. He heard about Blue Apple when he was at Osborne School in Winchester, where he loved to appear in school plays. Wanting to continue his acting after leaving school, Sam joined Blue Apple and now performs in major productions at the Theatre Royal Winchester. He has had many leading roles, for example, as Peter in The Railway Children; Frank in Pinnochia; and Macbeth in Macbeth.

Sam said: “Blue Apple is a theatre company that allows people like me to prove to other people out there that we can be something more than just people who are having to deal with their disability. It helps me to realise that I am not alone. We work together and we can do anything.”

His mum Sally says acting with Blue Apple has been a huge confidence boost for Sam: “Sam finds it hard to relate to others, he does not make friends easily and has difficulties understanding some types of communication. It’s been wonderful to see his confidence grow through acting.”

In response to watching Lashings of Ginger Beer one audience member wrote:

“It is amazing to see how far so many of the cast have come along in their confidence, memory and comedic timing skills. A pleasure to watch.”

Changing attitudes to disability

By showcasing our performers' talents to diverse audiences, we challenge misconceptions about learning disabilities, reaching audiences across the UK and Europe.

One of Blue Apple’s objectives is to change perceptions of people about the capabilities of people with learning disabilities.

In feedback to our July 2023 production Animal Farm, 82% of audience member respondents said that the show challenged their thinking about learning disabilities.

Audience feedback

Some comments in response to 2023 Lashings of Ginger Beer:

“Always a great experience, entertaining and challenging our thinking.”
“I have see previous shows and know what the actors achieve but they still surprise us and exceed our expectations.”
Among those who had never previously seen a Blue Apple show before Lashings of Ginger Beer we received these comments from audience members: “We booked the tickets unaware of the production but to support our local theatre. We would definitely support again. Thank you all.”
“Inspiring, funny. I didn't know what to expect and thought it was an amazing endeavour.”

Some comments in response to 2023 Animal Farm:

“It was our first time seeing Blue Apple perform. We will definitely be back. Keep up the fantastic hard work. You are all amazing! Thank you. x”
“Everyone brought something unique. Great to see the confidence of all the actors!”
“Really fantastic!!!.... Great night out... Good humour and at times emotional. The cast did a really great performance, would watch another for sure...”
“Wow! Never, ever, underestimate a person with disabilities. Everyone is unique and capable of amazing things in their own way.”

What people say

“If only Blue Apple had existed when my brother had been alive. His life would have been so different. We cannot underestimate the importance of this organisation and its work.”
Heidi Thomas, award-winning writer, producer, and creator of BBC's Call the Midwife.

“Blue Apple is a team builder. It builds both you as a person and as a character as well.”
James Benfield, Blue Apple Core performer

“Every time I see a Blue Apple production, it moves and inspires me and impresses me with its beauty and wit.”
Professor Alec Charles, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Winchester

“I’ve been coming to most performances for the past few years and have been inspired by the developing confidence, enthusiasm and talent of all the actors. Well done Blue Apple! The Railway Children was wonderful, inspiring and confidence boosting.“
Audience member, 2020 production, The Railway Children

“We are delighted to work in collaboration with Blue Apple to enable their performances on our Theatre Royal Winchester stage. Blue Apple shows make a valuable contribution to the diverse mix of live performance we offer to the public.“
Deryck Newland, CEO of Play To The Crowd

“The joy, enthusiasm and energy you have all given through these challenging months has been exceptional and so very much appreciated. They have been a lifeline this year and without them, the situation would have been so much worse.”
Performer family member, December 2020