I have run a community project in the UK which began by offering performances for autistic children and their families from one speical school in Shepherds Bush during the school holidays in 2018. Now autistic people and their families are coming to us from all over the country, with many of the children we originally played with now young adults and still attending regularly.
During this time, we’ve performed with our families in two theatres, The Bush Theatre and Riverside Studios, and during the pandemic, we continued performing with them online. We have experienced major grants of money as well as no money (currently!) and when we have no money we dig deep with our fundraising, keep the continuity going with parties in my house (families tell me some are never invited to peoples houses) until we can perform again.
The words of some of the families speak with more clarity than I ever can.
"Kelly has created a community where no other exists for my son and others like him. Outside his immediate family and his current educational environment, he remains isolated and unseen, unable to participate in much that the rest of us take for granted. For the past 10 years he has been coming enthusiastically to Flute Theatre for 2-3 weeks a year. He is a handsome, engaging, energetic young man with an obsession for long hair which can occasionally get him into trouble. He has very limited functional speech and is unable to hold any two-way conversation. He always requires at least 1:1 supervision. Flute Theatre is the only environment in which I feel confident to leave him, knowing he is safe and empathetically cared for by Kelly and her remarkable team of talented actors and musicians. I have watched his joy and seen him perform in ways I had not imagined, often within one session, but also cumulatively over the years."
- Dr Joanne Thompson MRCP, Mother of Olli
"When Gregory first attended, he was very shy and anxious about the new experience. He now loves going and the change we have seen in his confidence within Flute and outside of Flute has been a joy to behold. As parents we have seen the growth in all the participants as many of them attend regularly. It is such a special and safe place where acceptance is a given. These are few and far between. We come from Devon to attend so can only manage one in each holiday, but we will always try to get there if it’s at all possible. Kelly and her troupe have an amazing rapport with the participants, and the obvious mutual joy of the performances are very emotional for us as audience. It is hard to put into words the value of Flute theatre to the community of people with autism.”
- Kim, Mother of Gregory
“As Jack has finished education where opportunities for artistic outlets were provided we have noticed a significant gap of provision in art, theatre and music tailored for individuals with autism. Flute Theatre have profoundly impacted his social skills and overall well being. Unfortunately, as he transitions into the adult world of day care centres and supported work opportunities we are finding less opportunities are available for creative outlets which would normally make such a difference and bring great pleasure to him. We continue to live in hope that the work of the Flute Theatre may continue as they make it so easy for Jack to access and have brought a great sense of inclusivity that we have not seen anywhere else!”
- Michelle, Mother of Jack.
"We drive from Hartfield, it is just about 47 miles one way. We have never found something like the Flute nearby. Natalie loves every show, every movement and every song. Everyday, Natalie checks on your website or social media if there is something new coming up, she has all hopes that you will start soon again. When Natalie is with your group, she is a different person, her face brightened and happy. She can express herself and sing. Unfortunately, we don't have anything similar nearby, so I am going to bring my daughter all the way to London for the Flute Theatre.”
- Salwa, Mother of Natalie
"Hari and Amba have been involved with Flute Theatre for many years now, and it has proved transformative for both of them. There are, in all honesty, no other creative activities available which demonstrate a similar understanding of and concern for autistic young people; so Flute Theatre is the only space in which they are fully able to express themselves and to grow as empathetic, open and creative human beings. This is invaluable. Their personal growth through Flute’s work has impacted on their wider lives, helping them to contribute more fully to educational and community activities, and to be more at ease with other people. "
- Michael, Father of Amba and Hari.
“The impact of the Flute Theatre performances has been to help James immensely with his socialisation skills, especially since Covid and the lockdowns reduced his ability to interact with other people. His motor skills are also exercised by taking part in all the movements demanded of him and he is increasingly more confident with speaking in the performance. As a parent of an autistic young adult I am very grateful for these increasingly rare opportunities.Thank you so much for making the magic happen. "
- Marina Mother of James
Feedback from Summer 2025
"Ollie is now 23 years old and is described as profoundly autistic, learning disabled and language impaired. Outside his immediate family and his current educational environment, he remains isolated and unseen, unable to participate in much that the rest of us take for granted.
For the past 10 years he has been coming enthusiastically to Flute Theatre for 2-3 weeks a year. He is a handsome, engaging, energetic young man with an obsession for long hair which can occasionally get him into trouble. He has very limited functional speech and is unable to hold any two-way conversation. He always requires at least 1:1 supervision. Flute Theatre is the only environment in which I feel confident to leave him, knowing he is safe and empathetically cared for by Kelly and her remarkable team of talented actors and musicians. I have watched his joy and seen him perform in ways I had not imagined, often within one session, but also cumulatively over the years.
This summer Ollie and I spent three weeks actively involved in this project. It was magical.
The first of these weeks provided an opportunity to give back. Ollie took part as a player in the first locally run course, teaching the Hunter-Heartbeat method to a diverse group of professionals including some parents. He was able to demonstrate his unique personality, relax, observe and allow new people to enter his world.
Among the participants, some of whom were from more able neurodiverse backgrounds, I sensed a curiosity to learn more about him and our experiences as a family. I felt comfortable and shared Ollie and our family’s story and explained the multitude of ways in which Flute Theatre had helped us over the years.
This was just one story, delivered by his mum, to an interested and responsive audience. It resonated, provided insight and added to the conversation. The gift of a story well told can be powerful and resonate with audiences in a way which dry academic text cannot. I suppose that those involved in The Arts instinctively know this.
The other two weeks were also both periods of observation and interaction.
Throughout the following two weeks of theatre Ollie reprised his familiar roles in The Tempest and Midsummer Night’s Dream. I watched several performances with both a maternal and professional eye. No two performances are ever the same. The actors, under direction, enter the world of the autistic participants and interpret the plays with improvisation, versatility and situational awareness.
I also had the chance to listen and share experiences with newer parents. I watched how the performers interacted with younger autistic children along with both neurotypical and neurodiverse siblings. I hope to have provided some lived-experience peer support to those parents of younger children.
I introduced my younger daughter Ellie to Flute theatre’s work which has helped her understand her brother, teach her to make meaningful interactions with him when their relationship is strained and she has to play second fiddle. As she considers a career in drama, she has gained an understanding of how the Arts can do more than simply entertain.
I also came to performances without Ollie (he demands my whole attention at all times). This allowed me to deliver cake and share tea and conversation with many of Kelly’s professional contacts from across arts educational and scientific disciplines.
Ollie’s complex needs are isolating and exhausting for the whole family. Rewarding and positive experiences are few and far between and this is where Flute Theatre stands out.
The Hunter Heartbeat method has the potential to benefit all autistic people. However, it is those that are unreachable by other means, invisible and overlooked, that stand to benefit the most. Uniquely it is autism specific, embraces the whole family unit, and has no age limitation. Throughout lives it can adapt to changing needs and circumstances.
Kelly has created a community where no other exists for my son and others like him. Flute Theatre has a practical impact on how we make the most of our interconnected life with Ollie and provide him with a joyful and meaningful life experiences and help him progress. Throughout the years and particularly over this summer I have seen how the Hunter Heartbeat method can produce giant steps forward in connection within the space of a few hours and last between each visit. Its effect is cumulative. It is vital to this invisible population and their families that the work continues and expands. I hope to be able to continue to support the project into the future.
With grateful thanks for your support over this summer."
Dr Joanne Thompson MRCP (Mum of Oliver)
Gallery Photos - Summer 2025
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