Ceri

Describe your placement experience.

I am currently an Assistant Theatre Practitioner at Freewheelers Theatre and Media, a company that delivers inclusive arts workshops for disabled people, including drama, creative songwriting, and visual arts. My role involves supporting and facilitating workshops, working closely with members, and helping to shape creative material in ways that are accessible, collaborative and led by participants’ ideas and experiences.

What were the best things about it?

One of the best aspects of the placement was the opportunity to build confidence as a facilitator within a genuinely supportive environment. I was encouraged to learn through practice. To make mistakes, reflect on them, and try again with consistent support from my supervisor and the lead facilitators. This helped me develop a stronger sense of authority in the room, while also learning how to use that authority responsibly and with care.

Have your career plans been informed by your placement?

Absolutely. I came into my placement at Freewheelers wanting experience of working with disabled people, as I’m interested in training as a drama-therapist and wanted to develop my facilitation skills. While that goal is still there, the placement expanded my career ambitions in ways I didn’t expect.

What advice do you have for students considering doing a placement?

My biggest piece of advice is to think about networking as an integral part of the placement, not just an added bonus. 

I chose my placement partly because one of the facilitators is a qualified drama-therapist who trained on the same master’s programme I’m interested in. The conversations we’ve had about her research, training and experience in the industry have been incredibly valuable and have helped me understand possible next steps far more clearly.