Hi, I’m Poppy. I live with my mum, dad, three cats, a bearded dragon, and a dog. I want to share my life story and how ROC Creative has helped me.

Moving from Kent to Devon

When I was a baby, we lived in Kent with my family and friends. I loved living in Margate. Then my mum and dad decided to move, so we relocated from a house to a boat because my dad has always loved boats. When I turned 18, we moved to Devon because of my mum’s job. It was the best decision we ever made because I wouldn’t be able to do all the things I am doing now if we hadn’t moved. We transitioned from living on a boat to a house, and my brother moved in with us. Later, my sister, her kids, and her husband also moved in, making it ten of us in one house. It was crazy! Eventually, my mum, dad, brother, and I moved into our own house, which we love and cherish every day.

School and College

In Kent, I attended a special needs school, which I loved because they understood me and my abilities. It was there that I developed a love for drama, participating in many performances. I particularly enjoyed our Christmas pantomimes. One memorable show was a performance of Romeo and Juliet, where I played Juliet’s mum in one half and her dad in the other. I still have the top from that show.

When we moved to Devon, I went to a special needs college. I loved it there too and had an amazing teacher with whom I still keep in touch. However, I didn’t enjoy living at the college because I missed my family and only saw them on weekends. Thankfully, I moved back home, and we found an enabler to help me learn life skills like cooking and cleaning. She’s like family to me now.

Three pictures of Poppy practicing a dance routine.

Discovering ROC Creative

After college, I didn’t know what to do with my life. My enabler showed me videos of ROC Creative, and I was intrigued by their drama group. Since I love drama, singing, and dancing, my mum and I attended two taster sessions. Initially, I was shy but eager to join. We discussed it with my social worker, and I started going twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

At first, I was scared to join in because they were in the middle of creating two shows, but over time, I started participating more. I really love it now and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Life at ROC Creative

I started at ROC Creative in September last year, attending drama sessions twice a week. I love it here because of my amazing teachers—Cheryl, Anita, and Amy—and my friends. We all get along well. I enjoyed filming when we turned our theatre show “Bread” into a film, but I especially loved learning the climate change dance we did recently. It allowed me to move my body in ways I didn’t think possible, and I adored the poem I recited at the start of that dance. It’s one of my favourite dances so far. Lunchtime is also a highlight because we laugh a lot.

Drama at ROC Creative is special because we get the chance to shine. We never do anything that other drama groups do, whether on stage or in film and TV, making us unique and different. I am proud of all of us for what we achieve together. This is why I love drama and ROC Creative.

  • Poppy is training at ROC Creative