Phoenix is a through the gate programme which works with people who have convictions in a holistic manner, providing arts-based opportunities to assist in positive resettlement and maintain motivation to cease offending behaviour. It has been created in consultation with prison leavers, who imagine if already works with.

Phoenix included:

-Weekly face to face and online theatre based workshops

-Creatively working towards a yearly public performance and other opportunities to share creative work with an audience

-Face to face and remote support with employment such as interview skills, CVs and disclosures

-Appropriate referrals to relevant support organisations

-The opportunity for participation, training, work experience and paid roles

-Monthly, free arts-based social events organised and funded by imagine if

-Tailored training in public speaking, peer-mentoring and employment skills

-Paid opportunities to present own artistic work and participate in film and theatre work

-Paid opportunities as lived experience experts, to represent imagine if at sector events and test new work for criminal justice settings

 

 

Please see the evaluation for Phoenix here: Phoenix Evaluation

 

Paid Performance Opportunities we offered to Phoenix participants throughout 2020 and 2021:

My Old Man

My Old Man blended live and digital performance which toured across the UK in Autumn/Winter 2021.

We offered phoenix participants paid work as Front of House assistants at a number of the venues we toured to. This not only provided them with real work experience (paid at the national living wage), but also improved their employability skills and enhanced their pro-social networks. 

 

 

Is Anyone There?

Is Anyone There? was a devised, live, outdoor production with Phoenix participants at the heart of it. Is Anyone There? was created and devised by the participants from deciding on the shows themes and content to leading on the marketing and logistics of the show all supported by a professional creative team. Those involved were hired, contracted and paid the real living wage to be part of Is Anyone There?

“The whole production is something new, incredible and intimate at the same time. You get to hear the unheard, listen to the misunderstood, give social justice a chance and deeply connect with the characters. All whilst having a good, pleasant time at the theatre setting. It was an interesting experience like no other” – South Leeds Life

 

Arts in Criminal Justice Training

imagine if ran training for artists and criminal justice practitioners from April to September 2021 in online and face-to-face workshops. The sessions were as follows:

• CRIME AND CREATIVITY: GUIDING PRINCIPLES
• DEVISING AN ESCAPE: THEATRE MAKING IN PRISONS
• A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE: PRISON TOURS
• CREATIVITY ‘ON THE OUT’
• PROVE IT: MEASURING CREATIVITY
• PRISON PRACTICE JAM & NETWORKING

People with convictions who have worked with us in prison or in the community were involved in each training session providing lived experience perspectives on each training topic.

 

 

Free as a Bird

The Free as a Bird documentary has been created in collaboration with some of imagine if’s Bird on the Wing Graduates who have worked with us since they were in prison, and ever since they were released. It shows the value the arts have in helping people change their lives.

 

For more information on the Phoenix programme including analysis into the impact of resettlement programmes vs. reoffending download our information pack by clicking here.

 

 

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