Watch play about mothers with multiple children taken into care that calls for 'systems rethink' for £1
Published by Professional Social Work magazine, 13 April, 2022
A powerful play co-produced by women who have had multiple children taken into care and social workers is being made available to view online for £1.
Called Lasagna, it aims to shine a spotlight on gaps in service provision and push for a “systems rethink” to deliver better outcomes.
Newcastle-based Open Clasp Theatre was commissioned for the work by Pause North East, a charity supporting women who have experienced or are at risk of repeat removals of children.
Mothers from Pause shared their stories to help produce the script along with social workers who have had experience of working within child protection services.
The title of the play comes from workshops where women talked about food they liked to cook. Lasagne was a popular choice and was chosen because it represented the “sense of community” within the production of the play.
Catrina McHugh MBE, artistic director at Open Clasp, interviewed former and current social workers in Manchester and Newcastle-upon-Tyne to develop the script. She hopes the play will be viewed as widely as possible in order to influence change.
“Open Clasp create productions to support audiences to step into the shoes of others, see the world through their lens and through this change happens,” she said.
“Lasagna also holds the voices of social workers who took time to share their experiences of the system, time with women and families. They, like the women, want this play to make a difference.
“We hope that people at all levels in the care sector will watch Lasagne and take its message to heart. The women involved worked creatively, debated, wrote and shared their stories, along with their pain. They wanted a play that could actually make a difference to the system, other women and the world.
“They worked hard, and their dream is for you to watch, talk to others in your office, at team meetings or in parliament.”
Catrina added: “I urge you to watch, understand, and take action for all women across the UK.”
To view the play click here