Staiths Stories - Riverside Routes x Tyne Derwent Way

Staiths Stories brought together Unfolding Theatre and St Aidan's Church of England Primary School to deliver a creative, riverside-based storytelling project. Designed to support wellbeing, voice, and imagination, the project engaged Year 4 and Year 6 pupils in a series of outdoor workshops that culminated in shared creative outcomes. The project is part of the wider Riverside Routes initiative, which uses place-based arts to connect children with their environment and community. 

Children co-wrote imaginative stories inspired by a visit to the Staiths. 

The project

Staiths Stories invited pupils to explore the riverside as a space for creativity, calm, and connection. Through a series of artist-led workshops, children developed original stories inspired by their surroundings. 

Sessions included walking along the Tyne Derwent Way, engaging in sensory observation, and translating those experiences into characters, scripts, and performances. The project was designed to improve young people's connection with the riverside and support emotional wellbeing, particularly for Year 6 pupils preparing for the transition to secondary school. 
 
Unfolding Theatre's inclusive and imaginative approach helped pupils build confidence and express themselves in new ways. The riverside setting provided a calming backdrop that many pupils described as "relaxing," "inspiring," and "beautiful." The project culminated in shared creative outcomes, including performances and written work, fostering a sense of pride and ownership. 

 Veronica MacCabe, Y4 class teacher and arts coordinator said:  "Unfolding Theatre have been fantastic working with the children."  

Impact

As a result of the project, the team have installed three A3 boards along the stretch of the river from the Staiths Café to the bird hide, which link walkers to a QR code where they can hear the children stories 'Poppy's Potion' and 'Three Girls Meet'.  We hope listening to their amazing tales might inspire other explorers around the Staiths to pen their own tale.

Listen to Poppy's PotionListen to Three Girls Meet

St Aidan's Year 4 pupils will be invited to come to a sharing event in early 2026 along with other Riverside Route schools to share what they learned, find out about the rest of the route, and meet more artists. 

 "I am incredibly impressed at how Unfolding Theatre turned this project around in such a tight timeframe without compromising on quality, They understood the aims of Riverside Routes x Tyne Derwent Way and have co-created wonderfully imaginative stories with the children.

 

Huge thanks also to the staff at St Aidans Church of England School who embrace the opportunitiy to work with us again" Elizabeth Kane, Riverside Routes Schools and Communities Producer "  

This project not only fostered creativity and confidence, but also supported emotional wellbeing and environmental awareness. It marks the second year of collaboration with St Aidan's, reinforcing the long-term impact of arts-based outdoor learning.

Led by Unfolding Theatre's Annie Rigby and a team of five artists, the project offered children a joyful and inclusive experience that blended creativity, nature, and personal expression.

To read more about Staiths Stories visit www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk/staiths-stories