The Drive Project

11/11/2025

At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month we pause to remember all those who have given their lives to conflict.
We honour their sacrifices and all those who carry them forward.
We will remember them.

14/10/2025

Back in 2012, a participant in one of our early projects told us: “Your work is like a pebble dropped in water – you know there will be ripples, but you don’t yet know what shape they’ll take.” The ‘On The Table’ project we delivered in Edinburgh this summer was a powerful reminder of that truth.

Members of the Armed Forces community came together as part of Royal British Legion Recovery Through the Arts Programme Edinburgh Printmakers to design and create a full table set, each piece carrying their ideas and stories. Guided by artists Laura A and Laura S, they made tablecloths, plates, goblets, candelabras, vases – you name it! These artworks then set the stage for a shared feast with invited guests at Assembly Roxy.

The table became a meeting place for people from military organisations and the creative industries to gather, share food (thanks to the brilliant KUBA cafe) and, just as importantly, share conversation about how the arts can positively impact the military community.

Discussions soon opened up wider: how this could support caregivers, mental health workers – maybe simply all adults. Participants’ honesty sparked ideas around using the arts to support mental health, create mindful moments, and challenge unhelpful ideas of perfectionism – themes that resonated strongly with everyone around the table.

Since then, participants have told us they’re continuing to carve out time for creativity, even while on deployment. They’re running “crafternoons” in their communities and passing on new skills. Guests have also shared how they’re weaving creativity into daily life and exploring ways to share it with others. And we know from our research – from the Jameel Arts Health Lab – that simply engaging in the arts on a regular basis can improve wellbeing, reduce stress, and support mental health.

On the Table was developed to celebrate the simple, powerful joy of coming together – to make, to share, to connect. And it has become a celebration that extends far beyond the feasting table itself.

22/09/2025

At The Drive Project, we specialise in designing and delivering arts-focused recovery programmes. In simple terms, that means using the arts to support and improve people’s wellbeing.

Wellbeing can mean many different things to different people. For us, it’s something we define for every project we run — whether that’s improving mental health, reducing social isolation, or helping people feel more positive. We measure this impact using a globally recognised wellbeing scale, so we can be sure our programmes truly make a difference.

One of our most exciting initiatives has been the pilot Storytelling and Wellbeing Programme (BSWP). This very special project has run over the last two years, providing accessible creative workshop opportunities for Blesma members.
118 Blesma members took part in 50 creative workshops held in 16 locations across the country.

The feedback has been fantastic:
95% of participants rated their programme experience as Excellent (90%) or Good (5%)
96% rated the programme as Very Effective (82%) or Effective (14%) at building trust, safety, and camaraderie within the community
91% rated it Very Effective (60%) or Effective (31%) in developing their self-esteem

These workshops — from storytelling and creative writing to sculpture, song-writing, and comedy — prioritise the creative experience while sitting within our safeguarding and wellbeing framework, with every element designed to help each participant meet their personal goal.

“In the BSWP you are respectfully wrapped in a warm and safe environment. Here you can be gently challenged and learn about yourself through contact with others. Activity professionals are first rate.” BSWP Participant

We are delighted to announce that we have just launched a new year of BSWP.
If you’re a Blesma Member, keep an eye on your inbox for news about upcoming sessions — or if you’d like to find out more, email us at [email protected]

Blesma, The Limbless Veterans

09/07/2025

Calling all Blesma Members in our network, we would like to invite you to join us to celebrate another year of creativity on the Blesma Storytelling and Wellbeing Programme (BSWP).

Our end of season Virtual Campfire is a place to come together to share your experiences of BSWP and to hear from other Blesma Members - so whether you’re a seasoned creator or someone curious about creativity, we'd love to see you.

And if you are a Blesma member but haven’t been involved in BSWP yet - come along, meet some of the team and find out a little more about what we do.

Email [email protected] for more information or to register your interest.

19/06/2025

As part of the Blesma Storytelling and Wellbeing Programme (BSWP), we ran two clay sculpture workshops and were so delighted with the results that we wanted to share with everyone in our network!

Why sculpture? Whilst new to BSWP, TDP have run sculpture workshops before with amazing results.

Clay sculpture is accessible to almost anyone, because it’s such a tactile, adaptable medium. . . It responds to pressure and movement in a way that allows for expression without strict physical precision.

Emotionally and creatively, sculpture also removes a lot of barriers — there's no "wrong" way to do it. It’s about feeling, forming, and connecting, which makes it welcoming for people of all abilities and backgrounds.

Working with the incredibly talented Simon Watson, the response from attendees has been fantastic with participants expressing they were ‘lost in the modelling’ and ‘felt free’ to show and share their emotions.

You can read more about the sculpture workshop held in Newcastle here - https://blesma.org/news-media/blesma-news/2025/sculpture-and-storytelling/

Have you experienced any other art forms that you think we should consider? Pop a comment below or send us a message and we’ll look into it.

You don’t always have to speak to tell your story. The latest well-received addition to the Blesma storytelling and wellbeing programme saw Members create sculptures with meaning. The two-day course, which followed an introductory online session with acclaimed sculptor and course leader Simon Wats...

27/05/2025

Calling all Blesma Members in our network, especially those who have previously told their story to an audience - the fantastic Corinne Micallef is running another workshop with us under the Blesma Storytelling and Wellbeing Programme.

Located just outside Oxford, this one day workshop will help you refresh and invigorate your story.

The workshop is open to Blesma Members so if that’s you - we hope to see you there.

We want as many Blesma Members as possible to benefit from these sessions so feel free to pass this on to anyone you know who may be interested in attending (as long as they are a Blesma Member!)

Email [email protected] for more information or to register your interest.

13/05/2025

Calling members of the Armed Forces Community in and around Plymouth - our friends at Theatre Royal Plymouth have got two exciting projects we wanted to let you know about.

First up - a new Armed Forces Comedy Club will run for the next 11 weeks on Wednesday evenings. Comedy and improv will be explored in addition to the opportunity to see other comedy sets in and around Plymouth.

So if you are still serving or a veteran, fancy trying something different or just an excuse to get out the house and be around other like-minded people, then join them at TR2 on Wednesday evenings (1900-2100).

Secondly - they are continuing to run their Armed Forces Choir on Thursday evenings (1900-2100) at TR2. These sessions are open to serving personnel, veterans and family members over the age of 18 and the choir will be performing on the mainstage on Armed Forces Day this year.

For more information or to register your place on either project, please email [email protected]

08/05/2025

This VE80 Day, we will be taking time to reflect on and remember the sacrifices made by so many.

As we remember those who served and brought peace to Europe, we honour their courage and strength.

24/04/2025

At The Drive Project we have the privilege of working with lots of extraordinary people who achieve amazing things, and this weekend, one of our core team members - Frankie Mapes - will be joining thousands of others on the streets of London running her first ever Marathon.

Anyone who knows Frankie will know what an amazing human she is - dedicated to using the power of arts for good, we (and all the people she has worked with) benefit from Frankie’s intelligence, creativity and compassion.

This weekend, Frankie is running to raise money for Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity - an amazing charity who supports families who have a child with a serious or life-threatening condition. You can find out more about about why Frankie chose this charity via her fundraising page - https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/frankie-mapes?utm_source=App&utm_medium=TCSLM&utm_campaign=2025

From all of us at The Drive Project - Frankie - we wish you all the very best - we are so very proud of you.

And to everyone else taking part in the marathon this weekend (in whatever way) we wish you well. London truly comes alive on Marathon day and we hope you all enjoy your experience.

It's one week to the London Marathon!! Training has been such a journey but I can say I'm actually excited to get to run it in 7 days time! The hardwork has been done, now all we've got to do is put o

16/04/2025

If you are a member of the Armed Forces Community in or around Edinburgh (or know someone who is), then we want to let you know about a fantastic project we have coming up with The Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland. Read on for more information . .

As part of the Recovery Through The Arts programme, we are inviting members of the Armed Forces Community to join us for a hands-on celebration of creativity, community, and craft.

Using ceramics and textiles to create individual pieces of artwork, we will bring these together to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind feasting table - where artistry meets the joy of shared experience.

At the end of the project we’ll come together to celebrate what we have achieved - including an exhibition for invited guests to see the stunning table setting created by everyone who participated in the project.

Beginning week commencing 26 May 2025, the project will start with an online ‘meet and greet’, followed by workshops in Edinburgh over the following weeks - with the exhibition in early July.

Sessions are open to veterans, serving and partners / carers of veterans / serving.

Applications are managed by The Royal British Legion so please call 0808 802 8080 for more information. Alternatively, if you have any questions - email [email protected]

We hope to see some of you there!

03/04/2025

Last week, The Drive Project bid farewell to our fantastic Director Grace Staniland.

Whilst Grace moves on to pursue other interests, in true TDP style, it only seems right to take a moment to reflect and share the story of how it all began . . .

Grace and Alice met in the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2010, and as their paths crossed their joint belief in the arts being a power for good, became apparent.

In 2015, following the success of The Two Worlds of Charlie F, Grace joined Alice at The Drive Project; an organisation with a vision to use the power of stories and the arts to make the world a better place.

Since then, Alice and Grace have led the team to work with charities and corporations to achieve this vision and become a leader within the Creative Health sector; changing the lives of so many people along the way - from numerous members of the Armed Forces Community, to school children, NHS staff and other frontline workers. Thousands of people have been touched by projects developed and delivered by Grace. The ripple effect of these can’t be measured.

Alice Knight-Driver, founder of TDP says -

Grace’s knowledge, creativity and dedication helped build the very foundations of TDP and we will continue to benefit from her passionate approach for years to come.

There will be a Grace shaped hole and I will miss working with her.

Thank you Grace from all of us at TDP - both past and present.

25/03/2025

We are delighted to be working with the Recovery Services team at The Royal British Legion to design and deliver their Recovery Through the Arts programme.

Here’s a quick guide to what’s coming up.

There is an exciting range of projects – including Storytelling, Art, Creative Writing and cultural trips in areas across the UK.

Sessions are open to veterans, serving and partners / carers of veterans / serving.

Applications are managed by The Royal British Legion so please call 0808 802 8080 for more information.

We hope to see some of you there!