Creating Change

We are working with 10 young adults we have met at HMPYOI Feltham after they leave custody thanks to the support of the Weavers Charity.

We invite them to reflect on how their own experiences and creativity can combine to make positive change for them and those coming 

after them. 

We met the very talented JB at HMPYOI Feltham. It soon became clear that he not only had an immense talent but that he was keen to share his experiences of a custodial sentence to help others in a similar position. He reflected on how it felt to arrive at a prison induction unit and how much any sort of creative distraction would have helped him to cope with and process what was happening to him. 

Fast forward a year and he has developed a bespoke Creative Distraction pack for young adults arriving at the Feltham induction unit today. Feedback so far includes how much the young adults appreciate the input and perspective of someone who has been in their position, the ideas for keeping in touch with loved ones and the opportunity to express themselves in different ways.   

O feels passionately about using his experience to help others. He has developed a series of drawings and words that he is developing for a schools’ programme to raise awareness of consequences of gang affiliations. We are supporting him to develop these materials and connect with his own secondary school to explore trialing a talk there.