Do You See Me?: Celebrating the Milchester Players this Learning Disability Week

Supporting our clients’ interests and hobbies is a fundamental aspect of Southdown support in our Learning Disability Support services. We know the positive impact it has on quality of life. 

At one of our East Sussex services, clients and their Support Workers have formed a theatre group called the Milchester Players and have put on six shows since 2012! For Learning Disability Week 2025, we’re celebrating them and their creative spirits.

We spoke to Service Manager, Gemma, to find out more: 

“This year, the play was chosen by a client who was supported by his family to help him decide who was who in the play, the song choices, and lines for each person.  

All the clients then had a meeting to make sure they were happy with their allocated part and name of character. Clients were very involved in the decision-making process and completely lead the play. We had 12 script changes in total! 

Rehearsals were on Friday mornings in the lounge, and a dress rehearsal was held at Ringer Village Hall two weeks before the main show there on the 26th April 2025.  

We sent out posters to family and friends and to all Southdown services. Over 110 people attended the night and we raised £206 which covered the cost of hiring the hall.  

There are so many benefits to putting on a show like this. It’s fun, it builds confidence, it’s team building, and it’s our way of giving something back to the community.”