OUR HISTORY
A BIT OF BACKSTORY
While working in prisons, Maggie Norris realised that a disproportionate number of inmates were care leavers and that when a young person leaves care it is very easy for them to struggle without the right support. She founded The Big House in 2012 having designed a long term support programme with care leavers, based on their needs.
EARLY ON
Phoenix was the first show ever staged by The Big House in 2013 and it was a huge success. It was borne out of the Open House Project – our flagship 12-week programme that includes life and employment skills, rehearsals and a four-week professional production, alongside long term pastoral support.
THE BIG HOUSE MEANS BUSINESS
The next five years saw a series of site-specific productions, including shows in the basement of the Rio Cinema, underneath Smithfield Meat Market, a Hawaiian restaurant and The Royal Court. We set up The Big House Means Business, which employs our members to lead workshops and performances influence the social care sector and train corporate partners. We have been commissioned by companies all over the UK, in Paris, Sweden, and Hong Kong.
THE BIG HOUSE GETS A HOME
In 2018, we moved into our own home – two renovated frame factories in Islington. It has since been the heart of our dynamic community, where we have staged productions, thrown parties, galas, dinners, careers fairs, and, most importantly, young people can walk into a safe environment as and when they need.
TEN BIG YEARS
In 2022, The Big House celebrated its ten-year anniversary and a decade of transforming young lives. We threw a big Open Day celebration for our members, friends, and neighbours. Bloomsbury published an Anthology of five of our plays.
IMPACT
OUR
MISSION IS WORKING
The Big House is now a network of over 500 young people, having launched careers in a range of industries. Our members work at Netflix, BBC, and Amazon. TBH fights endlessly to improve access to opportunities, targeting the public sector, health services, hospitality and events, as well as the creative industry. Our young people are leading voices in their fields, striving for social change. Our dynamic and creative community means young people return to TBH as much as 10 years on. They continue to join our workshops, in-house opportunities, celebrate together and mentor their peers.
“I now feel so powerful, so sure of who I am and what I want” – TBH Member
PEOPLE
Bel Parker
Bel Parker
team
Titash Sen
Titash Sen
team
Amy Wilson
Amy Wilson
team
Aliaano El-Ali
Aliaano El-Ali
team
Laura Thompson
Laura Thompson
team
Hannah Stone
Hannah Stone
team
Carys Williams
Carys Williams
team
Chris Neels
Chris Neels
team
Sarah Stallwood-Hall
Sarah Stallwood-Hall
team
Maggie Norris
Maggie Norris
team
Zoe McGhee
Zoe McGhee
team
Julie Dark
Julie Dark
trustees
Chloe Evans
Chloe Evans
trustees
Claire Wilkinson
Claire Wilkinson
trustees
Wendy Scott
Wendy Scott
trustees
Kiren Shoman
Kiren Shoman
trustees
Lesley Seary
Lesley Seary
trustees
Mark Goodin
Mark Goodin
trustees
Robert Meteyard
Robert Meteyard
trustees
Humphrey Edginton
Humphrey Edginton
trustees
Ziyad Marar
Ziyad Marar
trustees