YOUNGSTERS affected by major changes in the armed forces are being shown how to be resilient through a special theatre project.

The show will tour schools in North Yorkshire which will have to manage significant numbers of children coming and going over the next year.

The initiative follows major military changes which will see the drawdown of troops from Germany and the closure of all Ministry of Defence schools there.

It will mean that during this year through to late 2016, about 6,000 troops will be coming into the county and about 4,500 will be moving out.

The moves will impact on all the schools that serve the units based at Catterick Garrison and other stations such as Dishforth and Ripon’s Claro Barracks.

The period of turbulence is believed to have the potential to be unsettling for many children in the affected schools.

And as a result, the county council has commissioned Invisible Man Theatre Company to develop an interactive drama to help primary school children aged seven to 11 to cope with the changes.

The project also aims to encourage civilian pupils to appreciate and understand the challenges faced by service children when they are posted.

The drama performance, called 'Wherever Home Is,' has been funded through the MOD’s Education Support Fund for State Schools.

It will be delivered in 20 primary schools throughout the county from next week to the end of May and then tour four primary schools in the Hohne Garrison area of Germany.

To create the show the theatre company has carried out research in Catterick and Germany, and has worked with groups of children, parents and staff.

The county’s lead adviser for the education of service pupils, Matt Blyton, said many of North Yorkshire’s schools were well-versed in supporting pupils through transition.

However it is hoped the new theatre project will help to develop further the emotional resilience of those involved, both pupils and school staff.

He added: “This theatre project is intended to provide a positive and empowering experience for children, enabling both service and ‘civilian’ children to talk about and explore what it feels like to start and leave new schools, often many times over.”

The interactive drama is to be followed by a series of class-based exercises and activities which will encourage children to reflect on the action and to share their ideas about how the drama can conclude.