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About SPID Theatre
The award winning SPID is a youth charity specialising in high quality community theatre on council estates. We use theatre, film and radio to call for investment in social housing. We mix verbatum testimonies with scripted dialogue to celebrate and champion estates’ history.
Historic England’s Buildings at Risk register lead us to Kensal House, a Grade II* listed estate in Ladbroke Grove. In 2005, we left venues like the ICA and Riverside Studios for a home of our own. We were thrilled when the Residents Association invited us to stay. We swapped traditional stages for graffiti parks and youth clubs - casting local kids alongside professionals. Neighbouring estates welcomed the interactive, DIY shows we premiered at Kensal. After more than a decade of unpaid blood and sweat, we finally raised £2.6m to restore our stage and hall, install a lift and sloping corridor.
MISSION STATEMENT
"SPID stands for solidarity. We make high quality community art on council estates that challenges housing injustice. We fight for investment in social housing’s heritage, and in young peoples’ future. We use theatre, film and radio to call for investment in social housing and in opportunities for young people. We mix verbatum testimonies with scripted dialogue to celebrate and champion estates’ history."
"SPID stands for solidarity. We make high quality community art on council estates that challenges housing injustice. We fight for investment in social housing’s heritage, and in young peoples’ future. We use theatre, film and radio to call for investment in social housing and in opportunities for young people. We mix verbatum testimonies with scripted dialogue to celebrate and champion estates’ history."
MEET THE TEAM
Meet the amazing team members that make SPID what it is.
Helena Thompson
Artistic Director
Helena founded SPID in 2005 when the Residents Association invited her to run Kensal House Community Rooms, which was on Historic England's Buildings at Risk register, and has long suffered neglect, leaks and floods. She has since used her script writing commissions from Radio 4, the Bush and the National to advocate investment in social housing through plays like The Burning Tower and Smile!, both published by Methuen
Isaac Jordan
Youth, Outreach and Marketing Assistant
Isaac has a background in theatre education, having previously worked in schools creating and delivering a literacy and theatre workshop programme for students struggling with literacy. As a longtime resident of social housing he is particularly committed to championing its stories and heritage. A writer and director in his spare time, he has worked with directors including Nicholas Barter and Caroline Steinbeis.
Nnenna Samson
Head of Youth
Nnenna has worked for SPID since 2007. She developed SPID’s Estate Endz and Far Far Away programs. She wrote The Dream, and currently lives in social housing.
Kai Gama
Outreach Producer
Kai joined SPID in 2021 after first working with SPID, co-producing the radio play - The Dream. Kai has a background in music, film and theatre, and continues to record and produce short films for his band The Insomniax. Kai's spent most of his formative years living in social housing leading to him being passionate about providing positive experiences and opportunities to the community.
Sean Cleary
Project Coordinator
Sean is a writer and editor who has lived in social housing in Ladbroke Grove for 38 years. Passionate about the art of storytelling, the empowerment of self expression and working with local young people in the area, Sean enjoys having the platform to do this at SPID.
Naomi Israel
Co Chair
SPID Trustee and Youth Ambassador, North Kensington resident
Naomi Israel is a North Kensington residents who grew up attending SPID’s free youth program before becoming a Youth Ambassador for the charity – because at a time when so many youth centres are closing, young people cannot do without SPID.
Ann-Marie Richardson
General Manager
Ann-Marie’s background is in television commercials and music video production. She was the general manager of a successful film production company. Having always lived locally in social housing. She is a firm believer in social housing and community. Ann-Marie was part of the Save Our Silchester Campaign and continues stand up for secure tenancies and building safety.
Sammy Campbell
Yoga
Sammy has run SPID’s free yoga classes for more than 10 years. He specialises in using breathing and exercise to reduce stress .
Mickell Lemard
Qi Gong and Gong Fu
Mickell has run SPID’s free Gong Fu classes since 2012, improving poise, stamina and strength with martial arts techniques.
ielboxing@hotmail.co.uk
Ivor Flint
Chair of SPID Theatre, Kensal resident
Ivor Flint is a resident of Kensal House and chaired the Residents Association he invited SPID to run their community rooms in 2005 – because SPID met the aspirations of Kensal House and shared in the vision of reviving our much neglected theatre and community space.