Forum Theatre: Turning Lived Experience Into Action

Report led by Khaleda Noon and Helene Rodger

This report, co-led by Khaleda Noon and Helene Rodger, was shaped not just by research, but by people — through creative, participatory methods designed to centre lived experience.

We used forum theatre as a key part of the process: a powerful approach that brings real-life experiences to the stage to provoke dialogue, reflection, and action. Working closely with those affected by racism and cultural harm in Scotland’s social work system, the sessions created space to explore difficult truths and reimagine what justice and cultural proficiency could look like in practice.

The voices and insights that emerged directly informed the report’s findings and recommendations.

This work culminated in a sold-out roundtable event at the Scottish Parliament, where care-experienced people, practitioners, academics, and policymakers came together to listen, reflect, and respond.

Forum theatre was not a performance — it was truth-telling, collective analysis, and a spark for real systemic change.