“We have conversations like, ‘How do you take your tea in the morning?’ through to how love nowadays isn’t the same. It’s gorgeous,” said Maya, one of a group of students involved in a partnership project involving students from The Brit School and Mountbatten.

The Hampshire charity has again joined forces with the Croydon-based performing arts school to produce a unique show, based on the stories and experiences of patients and staff.

Young performers spent three days meeting people at our hospice in Southampton’s West End, before turning what they learned into an original performance, which was staged for free on Wednesday, July 17.

One of the patients who got involved said: “The BRIT School was very encouraging for younger people to be around older people. If I'd had it when I was younger, I would have been a different person.”

Maya explained: “We do applied theatre and this is something the Year 12s do every single year. It’s so rewarding.

“Often, the people we speak to have the most incredible life stories. The conversations are inciteful.

“I’m not a confident person. A year ago, I couldn’t go into a room and sit next to people and make conversation. Now I lead performing arts workshops for older people. 

“It’s not scary. We’re just coming in to have a chat.”

Ray Oudkerk, Assistant Principal at The BRIT School, said: “The BRIT School, working in partnership with Mountbatten, makes our hearts beat stronger.

“Bringing our Applied Theatre students, aged 16 and 17, to hear the varied life stories in the hospice is a privilege.

“Creating a shared performance, after three beautiful, intense days of talking, listening and drinking tea, is such an important and impactful experience for our students.

“We hope it’s also a powerful, life-affirming experience for those using the hospice.

“Can’t wait to be back next year!”

The event was supported by a team of volunteers from Mountbatten Hampshire, who served canapes and drinks.

Croydon-based The BRIT School provides a unique education for over 1,400 pupils aged between 14 and 19, in music, film, digital design, visual arts, production and performing arts.

Two-thirds publicly funded, Mountbatten Hampshire supports over 1,600 people on any one day.