The UK has the highest rate of Teenage Pregnancy in Western Europe. And Surrey now has a unique play that explores the physical, social and economic problems of teenage parents. Called The Teenage Pregnancy Project, it is performed by young drama volunteers who are trained as actors and educators by the not-for-profit, youth arts training company, Peer Productions.

First, they ran confidence-building drama workshops for 15 teenage parents, who shared their own stories. This material formed the backbone of the drama performance written for students from Year 9 and upwards. Since 2008, the play has toured to 16,000 young people in schools and youth centres.

The High Sheriff Youth Awards gave a grant of £1,500 to continue this project into 2009: it raises awareness of the risk of unprotected sex and the fact that it’s illegal to take part in sexual acts until you are 16 or over. At the HSYA Celebration Evening, these drama volunteers presented a scene from the play and (left) were congratulated by actress Penelope Keith, a Past High Sheriff of Surrey.

© High Sheriff Youth Awards 2015 | Registered charity No: 110187 | Email: | Email:

© High Sheriff Youth Awards 2016 | Registered charity No: 110187 | Email: | Email:

Under age sex is illegal!

Awarded 2008-2009