In Summer 2025, The Care Weekender once again took over Playhouse Square for two days and filled it with free family friendly performances, music, creative workshops, a community lunch table and health and wellbeing stalls.
The Care Weekender is a celebration of all things care, community and connection; we aim to bring people together through arts activities to sprinkle some joy and shine a light on the care we see in Harlow.
The festival also featured performances of A Place To Be, a new dance show created with the people of Harlow. The show was a manifesto for our community’s dreams for Harlow as a cultural centre and a place where we all belong.
We are making plans to deliver The Care House Project in 2026 and beyond. Please get in touch if you would like to get involved!
“I enjoyed all that happened today - kindness and inclusivity plus acceptance, massive thanks to Rhiannon Faith Company and Harlow Playhouse for making this happen. ”
“Thank you - Harlow, people, humanity needs more of this. ”
“Emotional and joyful afternoon in which we were all emotionally connected. ”
TEAM
Artistic Director Rhiannon Faith · Executive Director Maddy Morgan · Producer Anna Dominian · Production Manager Jack Greenyer · Technical Stage Manager Fraser Owen · Stage Manager Samantha French · Print Design Anne Van Den Boogaard · Security General Security Services Ltd, Video Big Egg Films · Photography Foteini Christofilopoulou
CARE HOUSE PROJECT STEERING GROUP
Klara Bow, Marlie Fuentes Palacios, Donna Glynn, Daniel Hughes, Dave Hobbs, Catherine New, Audrey Nicholson and John Richardson.
‘A PLACE TO BE’ CAST
Klara Bow, Monika Budka, Cherie Coleman, Marlie Fuentes Palacios, Mithun Gill, Donna Glynn, Dave Hobbs, Chris Hunter, Donald Hutera, Catherine New, Audrey Nicholson, Robert Nicholson, John Richardson and Shavenbeard.
CARE WEEKENDER CONTRIBUTORS
Butterfly Effect Wellbeing, Community Embrace, Dance Fusion, Generation Circus, Hip Hop Pop, Voices of Harlow Choir, Harlow Brass Band, LAStheatre, Casson & Friends, Harlow Rock School, Anwaar Belly Dance, Four Eyed Theatre, Jigsaw Arts, Harlow Rugby Club, Healthwatch Essex, Harlow Creates, Rainbow Services Community Hub, Harlow Libraries and the Harlow Council Health & Wellbeing, Community Safety and Regeneration Teams.
CREDITS
The Care Weekender 2025 is presented by Rhiannon Faith Company and Harlow Playhouse, supported using public funding by Arts Council England, Harlow Council and Essex County Council. The performances of Caspian's Storm, ARCADE Mini and Emoto-Matic are made possible by Applause Rural Touring.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Care House Project works with the Harlow community to improve mental health and wellbeing, celebrate care and community, and provide hope for a better future.
