Volunteers at Side By Side Theatre Company have been presented with an award from Dudley CVS for achieving the local Building Blocks kite mark.

Side by Side, formed in 1997, is an independent theatre company giving learning disabled actors the opportunity to develop their skills in the performing arts. The group evolved from the Learning for Life drama course at Stourbridge College, but is now independently run by their founder, Susan Wallin, and a production team of experienced theatre practitioners, who, along with their support team, give their time voluntarily.

Volunteers at Side by Side believe in pushing back boundaries and challenging the perception of learning disabilities, by working to a professional standard to produce unique and thought provoking theatre.  All members of Side By Side contribute to the devising of each production, which include mime, dance, physical theatre, music, dialogue with recorded music and sound effects. The Company explores popular cultural stereotypes and themes to make traditional tales and myths relevant today.

Building Blocks is a programme of support available to voluntary and community organisations in Dudley borough. The programme helps organisations to ensure that they are well run, that they have the correct paperwork in place and are planning for their future financial sustainability. Voluntary organisations that successfully complete the kite mark are awarded with a Building Blocks certificate.

Building Blocks is run by Dudley CVS and funded by the Big Lottery Fund.