ACTivate delivers actor-led workshops that build students’ confidence, communication and speaking skills in schools across the UK.

Founded by professional actors and experienced facilitators, we combine performance expertise with a deep understanding of how young people learn. Our work is rooted in practical, engaging approaches that help students develop the confidence to speak up, take risks and express themselves with clarity and impact.

We believe these are essential skills — not just for school, but for life beyond it.

We are passionate about supporting young people to develop the confidence, resilience and communication skills they need to thrive.

• Helping students feel a sense of ownership over their work and learning

• Building confidence and self-esteem

• Encouraging independent thought and emotional resilience

• Supporting students to take risks, embrace challenge and learn from failure

• Creating space for imagination, creativity and self-expression

• Developing self-awareness and social confidence

• Strengthening collaboration, communication and problem-solving

• Encouraging students to reflect on their impact on others and the world around them

Our workshops are practical, fast-paced and highly engaging. Students don’t just take part — they gain clear techniques and strategies they can apply immediately.

We use drama-based exercises to help students explore how they communicate, building awareness of voice, body language and audience. Through this, students develop confidence, clarity and the ability to express their ideas effectively in a range of settings.

Alongside this, we create an environment where students feel safe to take risks, challenge themselves and grow in confidence.

ACTivate was founded by Phoebe Fildes and Alex Hammond, both professional actors with extensive experience in performance and education.

ALEX HAMMOND
Co-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR

Alex studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Leeds, graduating with a First Class degree, before training at the Royal Academy of Music, where he was awarded a PGDip in Musical Theatre and LRAM in professional singing tuition.

His performance work includes Matilda the Musical (RSC, West End), Motown the Musical (West End), where he also worked as Resident Director, Calamity Jane (National Tour), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (National Tour) and A Little Night Music (Watermill Theatre). He has also worked across film and television, as well as performing as a professional musician.

Alongside his performance career, Alex has extensive experience working in education, including as Head of Theatre Performance at The Hammond School in Chester. He also works at LIPA and has delivered workshops for organisations including British Youth Music Theatre, West End in Schools, The Challenge UK (National Citizenship Service), Perform and WAC Performing Arts College.

Alex is passionate about using performance as a tool to build confidence, communication and self-belief in young people. Through ACTivate, he brings together his experience in professional theatre and education to deliver workshops that are energetic, engaging and give students practical tools they can apply immediately.

Phoebe Fildes
Co-founder and director of programmes

Phoebe studied Drama and English Literature at the University of Bristol before training at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, where she completed a Masters in Theatre Performance. She was also a member of NYMT, YMT:UK and the National Youth Theatre.

Her theatre work includes Once the Musical (Original Cast, Phoenix Theatre), The Mousetrap (St Martin’s Theatre), A Woman of No Importance (Vaudeville Theatre), A Little Night Music (Watermill Theatre), Peter Pan (National Theatre), Into The Woods (Theatre Royal Bath) and Assassins (Nottingham Playhouse). She also performed as Ophelia in the Globe Theatre’s international touring production of Hamlet, travelling to 196 countries over two years.

Alongside her theatre work, Phoebe has appeared in several radio dramas for BBC Radio 4 and works as a musician and vocalist with a number of London-based groups.

Phoebe has extensive experience working in education, both as a facilitator and teacher, and is passionate about the role drama can play in supporting young people to develop confidence, resilience and a strong sense of self. She is particularly interested in helping students navigate the challenges of the modern world — building the confidence to express themselves, think independently and engage with others with clarity and conviction.

Through ACTivate, Phoebe designs and leads programmes that are engaging, practical and give students tools they can apply immediately.

Alongside delivering workshops themselves, Phoebe and Alex work with a small team of carefully selected facilitators who deliver ACTivate workshops in schools across the UK.

All facilitators are trained in the ACTivate approach, ensuring a consistent, high-quality experience for every school. They bring professional experience in performance and education, and are skilled at creating a focused, supportive environment where students feel confident to take part.

Our facilitators are energetic, engaging and highly skilled at working with young people — able to quickly build trust, read the room and lead sessions that are both focused and dynamic. This enables students to participate fully, take risks and develop confidence in a supportive environment.

We work with schools across the UK as well as international student groups and educational organisations, delivering workshops that are flexible, easy to run and tailored to your students.

Workshops are typically delivered as 60–90 minute sessions to individual classes or groups, and can be booked as half-day or full-day programmes depending on your timetable and number of students. We regularly work with whole year groups, using parallel sessions where needed to ensure smooth delivery.

All sessions are delivered in school by trained facilitators and can be adapted to focus on areas such as confidence, communication, interviews or teamwork.

Once we understand your group sizes and available spaces, we’ll recommend the most effective structure and approach.

All workshops are designed to give students practical techniques they can apply immediately.

Enquire about a workshop to find out how we can work with your students.