INSPIRE & CONNECT
Voices of Great Yarmouth Community Stories on Mental Health
Reflect Productions GY CIC is proud to be delivering Voices of Great Yarmouth: Community Stories on Mental Health, a new community documentary project funded and supported by Norfolk Community Foundation through the Love Norfolk Fund 2026.
This project will take place from June to September 2026 and will invite local people to share personal experiences, reflections, and stories connected to mental health, resilience, recovery, and community in Great Yarmouth.
These stories will help shape a short documentary film, which will be shared at a free public screening in Great Yarmouth followed by an open community discussion.
About the Project:
Voices of Great Yarmouth has been created to provide a safe, respectful, and supportive space for local residents to speak openly and honestly about their experiences.
Through shared storytelling, the project aims to: reduce stigma around mental health
- encourage open conversations
- help people feel less alone
- strengthen community connection
We believe that hearing real voices from within our own community can be powerful. By sharing lived experiences, we hope this project will help create greater understanding, compassion, and connection across Great Yarmouth.
- We Are Looking for 15–20 Local Residents
- We are currently inviting 15–20 local residents to express an interest in taking part.
Participants will be invited to take part in a filmed conversation as part of the documentary. These conversations will be approached with care and sensitivity, and everyone involved will be treated with dignity and respect.
You do not need any previous experience to take part. What matters most is your willingness to share your story, your reflections, or your perspective in a way that feels comfortable for you.
Who Can Take Part?
We would like to hear from people who live in or have a strong connection to Great Yarmouth and who feel they may have something meaningful to share around: mental health
- emotional wellbeing
- resilience
- recovery
- isolation
- support
- community connection
You do not have to share anything you are uncomfortable talking about, and participation is entirely voluntary.
Important Information
Please note: participation in this project is voluntary and unpaid
- selected participants will be contacted by the project team
- taking part may involve an informal conversation first, followed by filming if appropriate
- not everyone who completes the form will necessarily be selected
- all participants will receive further information before filming takes place
Express Your Interest:
Complete the form below to express your interest in Voices of Great Yarmouth.
🎭 Matt – A Powerful Story About Mental Health, Hope, and Recovery
A raw, emotional, and unforgettable theatre experience that brings mental health struggles into the spotlight – with honesty, humanity, and hope.
Matt is a powerful, original theatre production written and directed by Peter Dewar. Inspired by real-life experiences, it tells the story of one man’s battle with depression, addiction, and suicidal thoughts – and the fight to find his way back.
With hard-hitting scenes, spoken word, and physical theatre, Matt doesn’t shy away from the darkness – but it also offers something rare and vital: hope.
Following a successful 2025 tour across Norfolk and Suffolk, Matt is now available for schools, theatres, and community events across the UK.
In Proud Partnership with Norfolk and Waveney Mind
The work we do would not be possible without the extraordinary support of Norfolk and Waveney Mind. Their belief in our mission has strengthened our ability to reach young people, families, and communities with stories that speak openly and honestly about mental health.
Their support for our Matt - Norfolk & Suffolk 2025 tour did more than help us perform — it helped us open doors to conversations that are often too hard to start, create moments of connection for those who feel alone, and deliver theatre that gives people the courage to speak, seek help, and feel seen.
Norfolk and Waveney Mind is a lifeline for countless individuals across our region. Their dedication to mental health awareness and community wellbeing amplifies everything we stand for at Reflect Productions GY CIC.
We are honoured to stand alongside them, united by the belief that sharing stories can save lives, and that through collaboration, we can create lasting, meaningful change.
Reflect Productions GY is a Community Interest Company (CIC) based in Great Yarmouth, dedicated to using theatre and the arts as a tool for social change, education, and community engagement. Founded with the vision of making high-quality, thought-provoking theatre accessible to all, Reflect Productions GY creates impactful performances, workshops, and educational programs that empower individuals and amplify underrepresented voices.
At the heart of our work is a commitment to inclusivity, storytelling, and meaningful engagement. We collaborate with local communities, schools, and organisations to develop original productions that address mental health, social issues, and personal resilience—ensuring that theatre remains a powerful platform for awareness, healing, and transformation.
Our projects range from community-devised performances and Theatre in Education (TIE) initiatives to arts-based workshops and professional productions. We work closely with educators, mental health advocates, and local creatives to deliver performances that not only entertain but also inspire critical conversations and lasting impact.
Meet One of Our Directors – Peter Dewar
Peter Dewar is a theatre director, writer, actor and passionate advocate for community-driven theatre. With a proven track record in Applied Drama—using theatre as a tool for education, social change, and personal development—and Arts Education, Peter has dedicated his career to creating performances that engage, educate and inspire.
His work bridges theatre, television, music and social impact, ensuring that underprivileged and marginalised groups have access to the transformative power of live performance. One of his most notable projects, Matt—an Arts Council-funded initiative—wove together real-life stories from Great Yarmouth residents to create a powerful, deeply moving production about mental health.
Peter’s career extends beyond the stage to include a wide range of screen credits. He has appeared in the BBC’s long-running drama Doctors, featured in national television commercials including ITV's Pay 2 Loan, and contributed to numerous other television productions. His diverse on-screen presence complements his storytelling craft, allowing him to connect with wider audiences across multiple platforms.
In theatre, Peter’s work is equally distinguished. He performed in Provisional Figures, directed by Marco Martins—a critically acclaimed piece developed through a two-year research initiative with the Portuguese community in Great Yarmouth. Premiering at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, the production explored themes of migration, identity, and economic struggle, highlighting Peter’s commitment to socially relevant storytelling.
Beyond directing at Reflect Productions GY, Peter is a pioneering force in Theatre in Education (TIE), having written and designed transformative programs that focus on mental health awareness, resilience, and emotional well-being. His work in this field includes delivering dynamic, interactive workshops that equip students with practical tools for navigating mental health challenges. Through compelling performances and guided discussions, Peter’s programs foster empathy, encourage open conversations, and provide young audiences with strategies for personal growth.
As an Arts Consultant for Reflect Beats UK and a member of St George’s Theatre, Peter brings his expertise to both performance and community engagement projects. His experience spans regional and national theatre initiatives, collaborating with a wide range of organisations to deliver compelling, socially conscious productions.
Under Peter’s leadership, Reflect Productions GY continues to push creative boundaries—championing theatre that challenges, uplifts, and leaves a profound impact on its audiences. Through his innovative Theatre in Education programs and workshops, he is shaping the future of mental health awareness in schools and beyond, ensuring that the arts remain a powerful vehicle for change.
📍 Based in Great Yarmouth | Creating Theatre with Purpose 🎭
Contact Reflect Productions GY
Send Reflect Productions GY a message if you have any inquiries about our services