Kooi Chock’s Story

Name: Kooi Chock Glendinning 

Name of project/organisation involved with: Arcola Theatre Mental Health Community Theatre Company

Borough: Hackney 

Tell us 2-3 things about yourself: Hungry and curious like a sponge, friendly and tenacious. 

What attracted you to taking part in the project? 

I was so broken after being bullied for two years at work by my incompetent and wicked managers. I was imploring them to not kill the 14 of us at work and the world around us. Instead of thanking me for saving the 14 of us, they retaliated and victimised me until I became a suicidal mental health patient. Arcola’s group helped me to come to terms with it and give me strength to move on. All of us participants understood and helped each other. 

How has this project changed your life? 

The group made me very strong and made me feel grateful and proud of my resilience to be able to move on and did what was right despite being punished for it. 

How has this project changed your relationship with the local area? 

It made me realise that we have nice people who care and are better than my work bullies. 

What have you learned on the project? 

The group taught me to believe in myself and that I was right to be strong to fight for my rights. That human stories are real and that we can learn from our past and evolve to forgive and move on. 

How will this project help you with your career plans? 

It made me realise that I could move on from the bullies and still have a better life. I was amazed at how ingenious the team was when, within eight weeks, they managed to direct us to perform such an amazing and meaningful play, portraying our stories and plights despite the interruptions of many absentees and personal challenges. 

What do you hope to achieve in 10 years’ time? 

I would be 79-years-old, and I hope to be surrounded by loved ones and caring communities like this one. We all would learn to listen to each other, forgive, forget, and believe in ourselves. I would love to give back and share what I learnt and would have achieved in my life.

In 2022, the Foundation for Future London awarded a grant to Arcola Theatre for its project “Arcola Theatre Mental Health Community Theatre Company” for people in Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.

“Arcola Theatre Mental Health Community Theatre Company ” will create multiple employment, creative, learning and early career support opportunities through the creation of a community theatre group for participants with experience of mental health issues.

The Medium Grant Scheme is part of our Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Fund, funded by Westfield Stratford City.