Vita Nova

13/10/2026

Hi everyone.Just for clarification as some people did not see my personal page I stepped back from Vita Nova on July 31st
🌞 🕊️NEXT CHAPTER 📖
After a very long time as Artistic Director of Vita Nova it was time for me to stand down. As from July I have stopped work at Vita Nova.
Vita Nova has been a very big part of my life since its inception in 1999 at Bournemouth Centre for Community Arts.
A small group of us Tim, Geoff, Elin, Will, Simon, David,Dave and I created our first play Scratchin’ the Surface.
Over 60,000 people, mainly teenagers , saw this production that depicted the lead character's entry into club culture and his decline into addiction. The most notable quote from one of the group was:

‘If we can help to stop one person going down the road we went, it would be worth it.’

That was the beginning of Vita Nova. The rest as they say is history. I haven’t been fully involved for all of Vita Nova’s 27 years of existence, but I have never been far away. I was asked to return in 2018, I came back as a volunteer to help rebuild the organisation. I became a part time employee in 2021.
Vita Nova’s mission to support people’s recovery through theatre and the arts has been always been at its core. Taking plays into the community to give informed choices and to counter stereotypes around the disease of addiction. Education has been at the core of our work be it taking plays and after show talks /testimonies to schools , treatment centres,prisons or the wider community.
Along side this has been the wonderful arts curriculum,music ,creative writing,art and breathing which has enriched so many people’s lives.🎨🎵✍️🧘‍♀️

I have met some wonderful people on my journey, both participants, audience and champions. I thank them for their support and love. It’s bittersweet to leave something that has been such a big part of my life. The path hasn’t always been easy. But it’s time for me to take a different route. Vita Nova will continue but without me.

I will still be continuing my applied drama practice, workshops, devising, scriptwriting, talks/lectures and acting under Drama Peace.🕊️
I will also be continuing my work with Celeste – a theatre group for those with English as a second language including refugees and asylum seekers.🕊️
Keep in touch
Love Sharon x

25/06/2026

Our Artistic Director, Dr Sharon Coyne, represented Vita Nova at Harmony 5 held at Bournemouth University. She talked about the vital work of Vita Nova and the Penwithen project, as well as her book ‘Theatre of the Lost and Found’ (Routledge).
Sharon joined other
professionals from a variety of sectors all coming together to discuss the
theme of ‘Creating Health and Harmony Through Education’.

16/06/2026

Vita Nova is excited to host the Celeste Group for a performance of ‘Writing Home’!

📆Friday 19th June 6:30pm
📍Vita Nova, 11 Roumelia Lane, Bournemouth, BH5 1EU
🎟️FREE on the door - no need to pre-book

02/05/2026

It has been a long journey writing this book.It illustrates the transformation power of applied 🎭drama.I reflect on over thirty years of practice working on many projects including Vita Nova, The Penwithen Boys and The Poole Passion. It’s written with love ❤️ 🕊️Sharon https://dramapeace.co.uk/

01/05/2026

🚨 TONIGHT🚨
🔊 VOLUME
🎶 Colin Superstar DJ
🥘 Caribbean Food by Steve H

📍 VITA NOVA - 11 Roumelia Lane, Boscombe
🕰️ 19:30 - Midnight
🔞 Over 18’s

Eat & boogie in a drug and alcohol free space 🎶💃🏽🕺🏻🥘

Music, food, dancing, socialising! We look forward to seeing you tonight!!! ❤️

28/04/2026

We are so proud of the Vita Nova Writing Group for performing at the Bournemouth Writing Festival last weekend. It was a fantastic event, full of creativity and talented people. We took part in an open mic and performed alongside the band Tongue Fu. Thank you to the Bournemouth Writing Festival for giving us this amazing opportunity to share our work. 😍

24/04/2026

24/04/2026

Vita Nova had a wonderful day at .aldhelms Academy yesterday. Their drama students watched ‘The Wasps’ Nest’, a play about county lines, knife crime, grooming and addiction. Afterwards the group gave testimonies about their life journeys. The students were then invited to ask questions. We were so impressed by the student’s curiosity and questioning. They were a real credit to their school.

Vita Nova is taking bookings for ‘The Wasps’ Nest’ for schools or a community setting. For more information please email [email protected]

Or visit - https://vitanova.co.uk/

⚽️🍒 A special thank you to Cherries Fund for supporting us in making our 2026 BCP Schools Tour possible! 😃🌟

16/04/2026

Vita Nova Summer Term Timetable 2026

Our programme is back this summer, offering a range of creative workshops designed to support recovery, build confidence, and bring people together.

From music and writing to art, movement, and theatre, these sessions provide a safe and welcoming space to express yourself, learn new skills, and connect with others on a similar journey.

Our workshops are for people in recovery (30 days clean required).
If you’re not quite there yet, you’re still welcome to join our Reconnect drop-in for extra support.

📧 [email protected]
📞 01202 309999

Come as you are – let’s recover, create, and grow together

01/04/2026

We’ve reached the finale of our 6-week journey with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and our Vita Music group.

What started as stepping outside comfort zones and exploring classical influences has turned into something truly special — an original piece of music created through creativity, collaboration, and growth.

We’re so proud to share a short version of the final track with you!

A huge thank you to Heather Truesdall and the BSO for their guidance, support, and inspiration throughout this process — it’s been an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.