Trybe House Theatre

Total Funding Requested: £40,000

What will this funding deliver?

Trybe House Theatre is a London-based social enterprise tackling one of the most pressing yet under-discussed health crises: the mental health and wellbeing of young Black men. Since launching in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have used theatre, storytelling, and culturally responsive programmes to create safe spaces where young Black men aged 18–26 can express themselves, build resilience, develop creative skills, and thrive.

This core funding will transform our delivery model by increasing session frequency from monthly to weekly for our existing cohort. It will cover essential staff costs to ensure consistent, high-quality facilitation and provide resources including venue hire, transport, refreshments, and materials. It will also strengthen our organisational infrastructure and capacity for sustainable growth while keeping all sessions free at the point of access for participants.

Which groups or communities will this support?

We serve young Black men aged 18–26 in Brixton, a community facing systemic barriers to mental health support and future opportunities. Many participants come from low-income backgrounds, some are in or leaving care, and all navigate the unique pressures of being young Black men in today’s society. This funding deepens our impact by providing more frequent and meaningful engagement for our existing cohort.

What difference will it make?

Young Black men are statistically at higher risk of mental health challenges yet among the least likely to access support. Moving from monthly to weekly sessions will create stronger relationships and sustained community building, allow for consistent mental health check-ins, support deeper creative development and skill-building through performance projects, reduce isolation through regular peer connection, and increase confidence, wellbeing, and resilience.

Participants can also develop work to reference for future creative opportunities and employment. One shared, "THT has improved my mental health... I feel that I have found a new community where I have made some good friends." Weekly contact would amplify this impact.

How will this funding help your community?

This funding does not just sustain our work; it scales our impact. Weekly sessions provide young men with a reliable, consistent space, creating routine, accountability, and belonging. Covering staff costs ensures skilled practitioners who understand participants’ lived experiences. Resources like transport and food remove practical barriers to participation. By supporting performance projects, this funding also helps participants build industry-relevant skills and portfolios, opening pathways to future creative opportunities and employment.

Why will this project be a success?

We have a proven track record. Since 2020, we have engaged hundreds of young Black men in the UK and internationally, partnering with Brixton House, the National Theatre, and Royal Court Theatre. Our culturally responsive approach, led by Black practitioners, builds trust and authenticity.

We are not starting from scratch. We already have the cohort, the relationships, and the model. This funding allows us to show up consistently for young people who desperately need it. Regular sessions enable participants to take creative risks, engage deeply, and develop confidence, teamwork, and practical skills. Over time, sustained contact enables personal growth, creative achievement, and preparation for future opportunities in the arts and beyond.

With your support, we can continue to do all we can to ensure these young Black men do not leave Trybe House Theatre doors the same way they came in, equipping them with skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive creatively and professionally.