NSCG drama students take centre stage in New Era’s innovative Christmas campaign promoting healthy relationships across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

New Era has joined forces with students of performing and production arts and creative media production and technology at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group and South Staffordshire College, Lichfield, to spread the message: “There’s no excuse for domestic abuse at Christmas time – or anytime!”

The campaign is aimed at victims of domestic abuse as well as perpetrators, who want support to change their behaviour, with a particular emphasis on young people.

In a series of short, powerful, ‘talking head’ monologues, aimed at social media, the students recreate real-life situations to highlight the different types of domestic abuse, including emotional, psychological, financial, sexual and physical.

Mickey Hemmings, New Era’s acting Head of Service, said: “Our campaign seeks to show that domestic abuse affects anyone of any age, with a particular focus on young people. That’s why we enlisted the help of these talented student actors to convey a range of powerful messages to their peers, as well as the wider community.

“We hope that if someone recognises a situation highlighted in our campaign – or in a friend or family member - it will hopefully give them the courage to seek help sooner, before a situation escalates.”

Tina McDonald, Group Head of Music and Performing Arts at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group said: “It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to be given a real life brief and work on something which has such a powerful message. All the students totally embraced this experience and were glad to have a part in this partnership.”