“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step
”
Who We Are
Quest Soul Theatre C.I.C started in January 2023. To hear how it all came about, please read the story below.
We would love to hear your stories too x
Hi. My name is Mercedes. I am the creator of Quest Soul Theatre. I had a sudden light bulb moment back in 2022, caused by my own mental health crisis. I wanted to finally use my Drama skills to give back and help people who wanted a different approach to building community and supporting good mental health.
How it started….
I orginally trained as drama teacher straight out of University. I studied BA Media and Performance at Salford University and then on to Chester to get my PGCE. I very quickly realised that my expectations of being a teacher were very different from the reality, and I started to struggle. I found myself making mistakes and was disillusioned by it all. I LOVED teaching, but hated everything that came with it.
Adventures Overseas….
In 2007 I left the UK and went on an adventure to Singapore. My lovely partner joined me over there and we were married and my son was born there, but our world travels weren’t over there. We then moved to Montreal, Canada for two years. After that we lived in Paris, FR for seven years with another baby born between countries. It was amazing and beautiful, but also lonely and isolating. When things go wrong and you 6000 miles away from family, your world takes on new perspectives. I know how lucky I am to have experienced these amazing countries, but the homesickness was real.
Lockdown….
I worked in Paris for 5 years as a TEFL, using Drama to do that. I loved my job, but yearned to make more of my skills. Then the dreaded Covid hit. I know we all have our stories from that time, but I lost someone very dear to me, and even though I was a Eurostar away, it felt like 10,000 miles.
I made a decision to move back to the UK and my family supported me. But it wasn’t easy. When I got back I had a mental health crisis, or ‘nervous breakdown’ as many used to call it. I ended up in my local A&E and thought my life was over. But somehow I managed to lift myself up through the support of my partner and a fantastic emergency system in place through my local NHS.
New Beginnings…
Whilst getting help, I also joined a local Amateur Dramatics group. It saved me. While I struggled through the day, I came alive at night pretending to be someone else. I realised the power theatre has on my soul. Talking to others I realised that there was a gap in activities, especially aimed at adults, where they could experience drama process without the pressure of performance.
Quest Soul Theatre was born. I registered as a C.I.C ( community interest company ) and dived feet first into running workshops.
I have never been so proud of myself. I did this.
Now Quest is listed on the Bromley GP Alliance for social prescribing. We are working with Bromley Well, MIND and other local charity groups. I am still trying to find my place, but the response so far has been overwhelming.
Share YOUR story with us OR join in one of our workshops to experience creativity, community and well being x
