ABOUT US

ABOUT
US

OUR HISTORY

A BIT OF BACKSTORY

The Big House was founded by Maggie Norris, an actor, writer and director, as a response to her long-standing work with ex-offenders. She was shocked to find out that while only 1% of children in the UK have been in care, 40% of youth offenders and 70% of sex workers have a care background. So she set up The Big House in 2012 in order to support young people leaving care, and to break this cycle of disadvantage that they may find themselves trapped in.

EARLY ON

Phoenix was the first show ever staged by The Big House in 2013 and it was a huge success, receiving much critical acclaim. It was the culmination of the first Open House Project -a 12-week programme that uses drama and long term support in order to address the fundamental issues which act as barriers to independent living. 80% of young people who take part in our OHPs go onto Education, Employment and Training.

THE BIG HOUSE MEANS BUSINESS

The next five years saw a series of site-specific productions, including shows in the basement of the Rio Cinema, underneath Smithfield Meat Market, a Hawaiian restaurant and The Royal Court. We set up The Big House Means Business, which employs our members to lead workshops and performances influence the social care sector and train corporate partners. We have been commissioned by companies all over the UK, in Paris, Sweden, and Hong Kong.

THE BIG HOUSE GETS A HOME

In 2018, we moved into our own home – two renovated frame factories in Islington. It has since been the heart of our dynamic community, where we have staged productions, thrown parties, galas, dinners, careers fairs, and, most importantly, young people can walk into a safe environment as and when they need.

TEN BIG YEARS

In 2022, The Big House celebrated its ten-year anniversary and a decade of transforming young lives. We threw a big Open Day celebration for our members, friends, and neighbours. Bloomsbury published an Anthology of five of our plays.

IMPACT

OUR
MISSION IS WORKING

The Big House is now a dynamic community of over 500 young people.

Our members work at Netflix, BBC, and Amazon. TBH fights endlessly to improve access to opportunities, targeting the public sector, health services, hospitality and events, as well as the creative industry. Our young people are leading voices in their fields, striving for social change.

And some engage with us for more than ten years. They continue to join our workshops, in-house opportunities, celebrate together and mentor their peers.

“I now feel so powerful, so sure of who I am and what I want” – TBH Member

0 %

do not offend or reoffend within 18 months of completing a project

0 %

feel more confident in themselves and their potential after taking part

0 %

move into Education Training or Employment (ETE) after taking part

BUILDING A MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE

Through world-class art that uncovers social and systemic issues our members use their voices to become advocates of change. By challenging key institutions and creating meaningful dialogue they directly influence the systems which marginalise them.

We work with a growing network of partners across local authorities, charities, and working groups, to reimagine how care-affected young people reclaim the power to lead.

Our young people have trained, engaged and debated with decision makers in institutions like The British Transport Police, The Met Police, The Ministry of Justice, The Department of Works and Pensions and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The Big House strives to transform systems with our member’s voices leading the change.