Funding bid for hidden illnesses project

Root Experience is a small arts charity, which works to raise awareness and understanding of invisible conditions.

According to its website, the charity was initially a theatre company, but has since developed interactive shows and educational programmes.

‘Hidden Stories’, a project by Root Experience, is listed in the regional final five of The Big Lottery Fund’s People Projects.

This could allow the charity to win a grant of £45,000, which could see it expand across ten locations in the south.

It also plans to produce an illustrated book of Hidden Stories, with information about conditions such as OCD, anxiety, ME and autism.

People will also be sharing their experiences with their invisible disability or illness.

Simon Magnus, artistic director at Root Experience, said: “Although knowledge is growing about what people may be dealing with behind the scenes, we’ve learnt through the project that these people need help in sharing their voice.

"We need thousands of votes to be awarded the £45,000 we need to continue our already successful project and as most people know someone living with an invisible illness, we really hope that we will get the votes we need.”

Robbie Stedman, aged 45, from Eastbourne, who has anxiety and other mental health issues, said: “I found out about the Hidden Project through the Terrence Higgins Trust and it has greatly helped me increase my confidence.

"I’ve also made new friends and I feel part of something important, something that can help so many other people who may be feeling alone in dealing with their condition.”

You can vote for Root Experience Hidden Stories before April 30, here.