Our Story
2engage was founded in 2004 by a small group of graduates who shared a passion for using theatre as a tool to discuss relevant issues. With every opportunity came new challenges, but steadily through word of mouth and a strong determination, relationships were formed and exciting projects were created and successfully delivered.
We facilitate and deliver educational theatre presentations and arts projects that raise awareness, challenge perceptions and start conversations.
Through partnerships, real stories and research, we create an environment where our audiences gain understanding and can make more informed decisions. Our work focuses on issues such as CSE, CCE, appropriate relationships, better futures and e-safety.
Our Vision
Raise Awareness
Theatre is a powerful medium that can raise awareness and educate. Our work shares the stories of real people through engaging and emotive presentations.
Challenge Perceptions
Using theatre to portray real issues, we can challenge the mindsets of our audiences and help young people better understand the world in which they exist.
Start Conversations
We aim to take our audiences beyond the point of awareness into the domain of action and positive change. We want conversations to take place where silence has prevailed.
Our Team
Why We Exist
Empowering Young People
We empower young and vulnerable people by identifying and addressing key issues that impact their lives.
Resilient Communities
We build resilient communities by bringing people together, building confidence, and working through pertinent issues.
Develop Skills & Creativity
We will use arts-based approaches to develop skills and creativity
Steering Group & Associates
Mia Bartlett
Caroline Swailes
Liz Stanton MBE
Hayley Lamb
Louise Harris
Our Policies
Below are links to our key policies.
If there are any policies which you don’t see here and would like to ask about, please contact us as this is not a comprehensive list. We have provided those which are either statutory or which we think you might find useful or informative.
For more information about how we handle data, please visit our Privacy Policy page.
For more information about our approach equal opportunities, please visit our Equal Opportunities Policy.
For more information about our safeguarding policy, please visit our Safeguarding Policy.
‘Risking It All’ connected well with pupils to provide a more enriched RSHE curriculum
I would highly recommend the "Risking It All" session from 2engage. The session deals with underage drinking, county lines and inappropriate relationships is a sensitive but powerful way. Our students thoroughly enjoyed watching the performance as well as discussing each character in interactive way. This session connected well with the pupils to provide them a more enriched RSHE curriculum.
Cleverly put across a serious message within a humorous performance
I would like to thank you for a fantastic performance. Our students really enjoyed it and it cleverly put across a serious message within a humorous performance. Many of our year 9 students reached out to multiple members of staff to inform us on how they enjoyed the performance but understood that it is a choice they have to make. They really picked up on the W.I.R.D acronym and many students could be heard repeating it throughout the day. Once again thank you, we will definitely be looking into the other sessions you offer.
Choices is a fantastic production
'Choices' is a fantastic production. I have been lucky enough to see it three times in my teaching career alongside a year 9 cohort. 2engage have really hit all the notes with this one - It's funny, informative and absolutely enthralling for the audience. The actors have all been phenomenal each time they've visited and I really couldn't have asked for any more. It was a fantastic way to kick-start our year 9 options day.
Valuable information in making decisions about the future
I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU from myself and the Aspire to HE team for all your hard work on our year 12 summer school. We had excellent feedback from students across all three of our summer schools. You've given them valuable information in making decisions for their futures.
Started some really important conversations
Thank you so much for delivering the 'University Challenge' presentation at our conference last week. It went down really well with staff and students alike and started some really important conversations about educational pathways. I think we will have lots of requests from schools to have you deliver directly to them.
Precisely what the group needed
Thank you for your amazing performance yesterday, it was precisely what the group needed to kick off the conference. From the feedback, we’ve seen that they enjoyed your session the best so we will definitely be booking you again! It really got them talking! Thank you.
A very professional and thought-provoking session
2engage delivered a very professional and thought-provoking session with our learners centred around the topic of student resilience. It was clear to see the experience both Ed and Phil have in the Further Education Sector as the session was pitched perfectly to the target audience and balanced with humour and reality. The sessions were interactive and extremely well received by the learners from Stoke on Trent College. Thank You.
The session gave me an insight into being on a real placement without the stress of making a mistake.
The session gave me an insight into being on a real placement without the stress of making a mistake. I felt like my confidence massively improved. 2engage were absolutely brilliant.
My confidence has really developed from doing these activities.
I've had an amazing week. 2engage have been really supportive and the sessions have been really engaging and informative! My confidence has really developed from doing these activities. Thank you so much.
I learnt a lot of things that I believe I can use in my career as a nurse.
I really loved this session and 2engage did an amazing job in getting us involved in scenarios. Overall, I learnt a lot of things that I believe I can use in my career as a nurse.
I had fun and even managed some acting!
I really enjoyed the day I had fun, laughed a lot and even managed some acting. If you would have told me a week ago that I would be doing this I would have said no way, but I did it and enjoyed it.
The delivery was so engaging and interesting.
Absolutely fabulous, had a wonderful day, I love the skill behind each activity and the delivery was so engaging and interesting I really enjoyed it.
This week has been a fun and interesting time.
Overall, this week has been a fun and interesting time. It has brought our group together and has shown how being a team provides a supportive environment.
Today’s session allowed me to become more comfortable around my peers, and more confident in myself.
Today’s session allowed me to become more comfortable around my peers, and more confident in myself.
I have learnt a lot around bias, intuition and body language
I thoroughly enjoyed today’s session. I have learnt a lot around bias, intuition, body language, improvising and adapting, and reflecting on best practice. I feel that as the day went on, I’ve become more confident. I’ve really enjoyed getting creative with my colleagues.
The session has made me more confident.
I am surprised with how much I have learned and gained from these scenarios and discussions. The session has made me more confident. Thank you!
2engage provide engaging and thought-provoking workshops that are accessible for all
The fantastic team at 2engage provide engaging and thought-provoking performances/ workshops that are accessible for all. They have perfected their tone to address hard hitting subjects with sensitivity, while maintaining a welcoming and humorous style. When we book 2engage we know that our students are guaranteed to receive an informative and engaging experience.
It was incredible to see the positive impact that the session had on all pupils
I would like to thank 2engage for delivering such an engaging and interesting session. It was evident that the content had been carefully and purposefully planned and this meant that our pupils could gain the most out of this experience. It was incredible to see the positive impact that the session had on all pupils, and this was evident through the reflections and discussions that our pupils have spoken about.
Very educational and fun
The team worked fantastically with the children with a very engaging performance. The children were hooked straight away, and the scenarios presented were very relatable for the children. Very educational and fun which the children will remember for safety online.
‘The Snap Trap’ is a brilliantly engaging way of educating children
'The Snap Trap' is a brilliantly engaging way of educating children. It teaches important messages and lessons to young learners that is difficult to do as well in the classroom environment. The content is both hard hitting and realistic but delivered in a sympathetic way.
‘Risking It All’ connected well with pupils to provide a more enriched RSHE curriculum
I would highly recommend the "Risking It All" session from 2engage. The session deals with underage drinking, county lines and inappropriate relationships is a sensitive but powerful way. Our students thoroughly enjoyed watching the performance as well as discussing each character in interactive way. This session connected well with the pupils to provide them a more enriched RSHE curriculum.
Cleverly put across a serious message within a humorous performance
I would like to thank you for a fantastic performance. Our students really enjoyed it and it cleverly put across a serious message within a humorous performance. Many of our year 9 students reached out to multiple members of staff to inform us on how they enjoyed the performance but understood that it is a choice they have to make. They really picked up on the W.I.R.D acronym and many students could be heard repeating it throughout the day. Once again thank you, we will definitely be looking into the other sessions you offer.