Sarah Beth Harber, who spent several years in the care system, on stage

A RISING star says care leavers must be given spaces to express themselves.

Sarah Beth Harber, 25, is an actress and musician from the Caledonian Road.

Having spent some of her younger years in the care system, Ms Harber has gone on to develop an illustrious career on stage and screen, performing in prestigious venues like the Almeida.

Now, through a youth music programme called Cardboard Collective, run by charity and theatre company Cardboard Citizens, she has found herself releasing music.

“I went into care late because people didn’t know my circumstances,” she said. “With acting, I was able to be someone else, and forget about the rubbish that was going on at home – I could have fun, improvise, and be this different persona.

Sarah Beth Harber

“Then, with music, it’s much more tailored to my emotions and experiences. It’s very mental health-led. My songs, one of them is called Higher Than The Hills – I performed it in December last year, but it was based on real events of December 2020, when I had a mental health crisis and I was in hospital. I spoke to the audience about getting rid of the taboo around mental health as well, so I’m able to raise awareness about these issues.

“When I do acting, because it’s more professional, I haven’t really got the opportunity to express myself. Acting is an outlet, I’m putting a different hat on. With music, I’m channelling the negative into a positive outlet.”

Ms Harber has crafted three original songs, performed them all and recorded one which appears on an album called Cardboard Collective Volume 1.

Cardboard Collective are holding a taster session next Thursday from 6pm-8pm at the Hind House Community Rooms off Hornsey Road for young people who have experienced being in care. Ms Harber says she would encourage other young people like her to get involved, and said being in the programme has given her stability and an outlet to cope with the changes in her life.

“Being a care leaver, when you turn 25, you lose social services and it’s disorientating. Things change – you’re paying council tax, which you’ve never done before. I can stay in this group until I’m 26, and having that extra year here has been really helpful,” she said.

Ms Harber revealed that she’s set to appear in cinemas next year, but says that for now, the project is top secret.