How one Manchester charity is turning drama into a lifeline for families

The move to Hulme from the north of Manchester was an intimidating one for Camille, 40, after she found herself and her children isolated without anyone to lean on.

In a big, bustling city, it is easy to feel isolated, especially when you are starting over.

But when the single mum of five discovered Odd Arts, a local charity that uses theatre to help people feel supported and empowered, she found more than just a hobby; she found a true lifeline.

“When we first came here, we didn't know anyone,” she explains. “We were at quite a vulnerable place in our lives. I wanted to get the kids doing things and start a support system, because my family was quite all over the place.”

For many families in Manchester, the arts can feel like a distant world, reserved for those with disposable income. But for Camille, access to creativity wasn't about luxury; it was about survival and connection.

Her journey with Odd Arts began after she started volunteering her time at a women’s domestic abuse charity.

Seeing Odd Arts staff visit with their icebreaker sessions, she learned how much theatre and play could help people open up and connect with each other.

And when she heard about the charity’s free drama club, her whole family soon got involved.

It’s now been three years since Camille and her family first found Odd Arts, and the change is visible in her children.

Today, her daughters River, 12, Ryder, 11, Rio, nine, and Rumor, seven, regularly take part in theatre on weekends and after school.

They are involved in the entire creative process, from the first spark of an idea to the final curtain call – everything from writing plays to performing in them. Camille's son Brandon, 18, has also participated.

“I’ve seen a massive