About Us
About Haylo Theatre
Using applied theatre to transform learning across health, social care and education.
Haylo Theatre is an applied theatre and creative learning company founded by Hayley Lamb and Louise Harris. We work with NHS organisations, universities, charities, schools and health and social care providers to create meaningful learning experiences through theatre, storytelling and facilitated workshops.
We believe that some of the most important conversations cannot be taught through lectures alone. By combining powerful performance with creative learning, we help professionals, students and communities explore the human experiences at the heart of health, social care and education.
Our productions and workshops are rooted in lived experience, research and authentic stories. Through theatre, scenario-based learning, facilitated discussion and reflective practice, we create safe, engaging spaces where participants can explore different perspectives, strengthen communication and develop confidence in responding to complex real-world situations.
The Two of Us
Hayley and Louise
Hayley and Louise share a great joy in creating theatre together. As well as being colleagues and creative collaborators, we are also great friends, which brings a unique energy and understanding to the work we make.
Between us we have over twenty years of experience. We write all of our own material, developing ideas together from the very beginning and shaping them into theatre that feels honest, playful and meaningful. Our friendship is an important part of our creative process, allowing us to challenge, support and inspire one another.
Hayley Lamb
Co-founder, writer, performer and facilitator
Hayley has an MA in Performance Practice, a BA in Drama and Theatre Studies, and a teaching qualification.
Hayley loves nature, reading and, most of all, hearing stories. She is passionate about transforming stories into theatre that can inspire, connect people and create positive change.
When she’s not creating theatre, Hayley loves spending time outdoors with her family and enjoying the natural world around her.
Louise Harris
Co-founder, writer, performer and facilitator
Louise holds an MA in Performance Practice and a BA in Drama and Theatre Studies.
Alongside performing, Louise has a love of literature, both reading and writing. She is passionate about using theatre and storytelling as a way to explore, understand and connect with the world around us.
When she’s not performing or writing, Louise loves spending time with her family and her four young children.
What Our Work Explores
- Dementia and cognitive decline
- Grief, bereavement and loss
- End-of-life and palliative care
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Living with multiple diagnoses
- Family and caring relationships
- Communication
- Person-centred care
- Intergenerational learning
- patient experience
“Your play brought the whole dementia world to life and touched hearts – which is needed to drive change.”
Marie Cooper, Practice Development Lead, Hospice UK
“The performance was very powerful and highlighted the need for person-centred care.”
Janice Jones, University of Northampton
“Haylo Theatre has the power to change attitudes and behaviours more than any literature or news article.”
Intergenerational workshop participant
Our Approach
Using applied theatre to create learning that inspires reflection, strengthens communication and supports meaningful change.
At Haylo Theatre, we believe that some of the most important conversations cannot be taught through traditional training alone. Through applied theatre, storytelling and lived experience, we create learning experiences that engage people emotionally as well as intellectually, helping participants explore complex issues, reflect on different perspectives and develop practical skills they can apply in their professional practice.
Every Haylo Theatre programme is designed to:
- Inspire reflection and meaningful dialogue.
- Strengthen communication and person-centred practice.
- Encourage understanding through lived experience and storytelling.
- Build confidence when navigating complex or sensitive situations.
- Create memorable learning experiences that lead to lasting impact.
How we work:
Every project follows the same creative learning journey:
Lived Experience and Research → Applied Theatre → Reflection & Discussion → Improved Practice and Positive Change
By combining authentic stories with creative facilitation, we create safe, supportive spaces where participants can learn together, challenge assumptions and develop a deeper understanding of the people and communities they support.
Our work is developed through close collaboration with healthcare professionals, educators and community organisations, ensuring every production, workshop and training programme is relevant, evidence-informed and tailored to the needs of each audience.
Why Haylo Theatre?
Because some conversations need more than a presentation.
Through theatre, storytelling and lived experience, we create learning experiences that encourage reflection, strengthen communication and inspire meaningful change. Whether we’re working with NHS organisations, universities, schools, charities or community groups, our aim is always the same: to use theatre to help people understand the human experiences at the heart of health, social care and education.
Over a Decade of delivering work
Since 2011 we have performed, run workshops and delivered staff training for organisations across health and social care, hospices, higher education and local government, including:
Health and Care
- NHS England
- The Christie
- Royal College of Nursing
- Admiral Nurses, Dementia UK
- Macmillan
- NHS Sheffield partnership
- Making Space
Hospices and End of Life
- Hospice UK
- Francis House
- The End of Life Partnership
- St John’s Hospice
- Trinity Hospice
- St Augustinian Care
Ageing and Dementia
- Age UK
- Alzheimer’s Society
- Dementia Friends
- The Dementia Action Alliance
- Brightlife
- E.D.U.C.A.T.E.
Universities
Plus, councils including Blackpool, Bury, Chester, Manchester, Oldham, Poynton and Stockport.