A fun day with G4S staff who do a very important job - June 2024

I was invited to share painting skills with Gareth Clark (Director, Das Clarks) alongside our fellow creative team: Marega Palser, Dee Rogers, Bill Chambers: (Printmaking), as part of a G4S Training/Away Day which focussed on staff wellbeing. We each worked with a group of staff who work within community outreach and also within the Drugs and Alcohol Dependency unit at HMP Parc.

We led a similar session last year, which went well, despite the challenges within the prison system. This time, the atmosphere felt energised. It was a chance to show the teams who we are and for them to get an idea of our style of creative sessions. We've been delivering this phase of painting and printmaking with the inmates (or residents) of HMP Parc since December last year.

Most of the staff didn't paint or make prints as a spare time hobby, so it was fun to introduce them to the process armed with a few simple guidelines and some game-changing knowledge of colour - they were able to complete a painting within the 2-hour timeframe!

During the session, we had a visitor - a success story - John (not his real name) popped into the session to say that without the help of the teams that he would not have been able to stay clean and off the booze. He'd managed to turn his life around. It was plain to see for those who knew him. It was brilliant and important for everyone to know that this work matters - and it works. The difference these teams make to people struggling is extremely valuable for individuals, their families, and society.

We know that the impact of engaging in creativity and the arts has an immense effect on our mental health and wellbeing - we look forward to the next phase in delivering Creative Roots this year - but as ever, this is subject to gaining funding and investment.