'In The Sick Of It'- NHS Project at Edinburgh Festival

Help Wake The Beast unleash "In The Sick Of It", a hilarious and urgent Call to Arms in support of the people at the heart of our NHS.

‘What a powerful and vital piece of theatre. Makes me feel seen’.

-NHS staff member ‘In Our Own Words’.

Dear Supporters,

We are platforming the voices of NHS & Social Care staff on a national stage at the Edinburgh Festival this summer, and we need your help.

Unlike anything else at the Fringe, "In The Sick Of It" draws on the real-life stories of over 500+ NHS and Social Care staff collected since April 2020. By presenting these on a national stage for the very first time, we want to spark a much-needed conversation about the unspoken toll on health workers.

This groundbreaking production is the culmination of Wake The Beast's "In Our Own Words" project, a four-year journey capturing the challenges, triumphs, and dedication of healthcare workers throughout the pandemic and beyond. From 'Clap for Heroes' to villains on the picket line, our healthcare workers have been upholding our healthcare system in the most challenging conditions and we are #SICKOFIT.

Adam and Kemi from Wake The Beast have interviewed over 500 healthcare workers since April 2020. We want to shine a light on what it's really like at the frontline of our NHS, and celebrate the tenacity, strength and hope that came through these conversations, despite working conditions which are ever-more stretched.

Our performances in hospitals, care homes and clinics have been a vital resource for staff, providing much needed psychological support, acknowledgement and healing for the past 4+ years.

We now need to raise £10,000 to take this performance to Edinburgh this summer to deepen the impact and widen the conversation.

You can support us donating to our crowdfunder, by sharing our campaign, and by promoting the show far and wide through your networks:

https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/608-in-the-sick-of-it

What is it?

'In The Sick Of It' is the latest iteration of 'In Our Own Words', an innovative NHS & Social Care staff support project.

Wake The Beast have been working with Clinical Psychologists in three NHS Trusts and four Care Homes since 2020, to support healthcare staff exhausted by the pandemic. The project uses creative activities and verbatim theatre to propel unheard voices into the national conversation on NHS staff mental health. It has been a source of healing for staff with performances supported by psychologist-led reflective sessions, serving as a crucial tool to support staff mental health and wellbeing.

We’ve been championing the voices of those who tirelessly care for us within the NHS, but now we want to go further and give them a platform on the national stage.

Sharing true stories with the public.

NHS staff tell us it's time their voices and stories were heard by a wider audience and the Edinburgh Festival provides a world class platform to do this. These stories born from the darkest of times, hold immense value in advocating for the mental health and wellbeing of our healthcare staff.

Through our month-long run we will:

• Propel the importance of NHS staff wellbeing into the national conversation;

• Remind everyone of the incredible sacrifices made by healthcare staff during the pandemic;

• Advocate for better support for the people at the heart of our NHS;

• Create a space for healthcare workers, their families and members of the public to reflect on the current situation within healthcare and the steps we can take to support action.

'In The Sick Of It' will be performing at Assembly George Square Studios -Studio 5 everyday at 12:15pm from Thursday 1st August- Monday 26th August 2024.

https://www.assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/608-in-the-sick-of-it

We've already:

• Worked with 3 NHS Trusts and 4 Care Homes since 2020, interviewing over 500 staff to create 7 verbatim theatre pieces and 10 short films as part of an innovative programme of staff support.

• Performed for policy-makers at the Houses of Parliament.

• Taken a performance and workshop to 10 additional NHS Trusts, and to the headquarters of NHS Providers and NHS England (London), advocating for the importance of greater mental health support for healthcare staff.

Now we need YOU to join the campaign!

Here's how you can help:

• Donate to our crowdfunder: Every penny gets us closer to Edinburgh! Our target is £10,000, and every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.

• Spread the word: Share this campaign with your friends, family, colleagues – with everyone who cares about the NHS! The more people who know about the show, the bigger the impact.

• Come to a performance! We’re performing every day for the length of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and we need an audience!

• Be part of the movement: It’s time we started to care for our carers. Use the hashtag #SickofIt to show your solidarity with NHS staff.

What will the money cover?

This project is not funded so we need to cover all costs through our fundraising campaign:

• Venue

• Rehearsals

• Marketing

• Accommodation

• Cast and crew and production costs

Our £10,000 target will enable us to achieve our goals and make a huge impact by elevating these important voices from the frontline of our NHS.

Thank you for helping Wake The Beast give these stories the platform they deserve.

#SICKOFIT