Unlock Drama CIC

From our Founder: 2024 reminded me why I started Unlock Drama CIC: because creative expression can transform lives, even in the most challenging circumstances. This year proved that transformation isn't just about what happens in our theatre workshops - it's about creating sustainable change throughout the criminal justice system. When a past participant wrote telling us "I believe the courses changed my life and made me the man I am today," it confirmed what we've always known: hope and creativity are powerful catalysts for rehabilitation. Key moments that shaped our impact: • Strengthened partnerships with Care & Custody, A Mitie Company and other justice organisations • Continued delivering innovative projects addressing Violence Reduction, Recovery, and Mental Health Awareness • Received recognition as 'Best Rehabilitation Social Enterprise 2023' Three moments particularly touched my heart: At the Prison Reform Conference, connecting with incredible advocates reminded me why HOPE remains critically important in rehabilitation - and why my daughter's name carries such meaning in our work. https://lnkd.in/esAX_8Fy Receiving this end-of-year testimonial from a past participant who became a Peer Mentor showed how transformation extends far beyond our workshops. https://lnkd.in/eYHZUwky Our partnership mobilisation with Mitie Care & Custody demonstrated how "The level of care, respect, common goals towards rehabilitation aligned in us all." https://lnkd.in/erJJdPbp Looking to 2025: With prison system challenges intensifying, we're focusing on developing more sustainable tools while maintaining our commitment to transformative theatre work. The need for hope and creative expression has never been greater. To every participant who trusted us with their journey, every partner who believed in the power of theatre, and every facilitator who helped create moments of transformation: you show us daily that change is possible, even in the most challenging circumstances. #PrisonReform #Hope #UnlockDrama #Rehabilitation

This year has been filled with meaningful partnerships and impactful projects. We are incredibly grateful for the support from all our partners, participants, and the communities we serve. Here's to more growth, success, and transformation in the coming year. We are excited to see what 2025 has in store and to continue unlocking potential together! Thank you for being a part of our journey. ✨ Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy 2025. Thank you for all your ongoing support; it means a great deal to us at Unlock Drama. Now for a MUCH deserved break to refresh and renew for the year ahead. #UnlockDrama #MerryChristmas #NewYear2025 #ThankYou

Just when I thought Unlock Drama’s end of year couldn’t get any better; I receive this beautiful testimonial of our work from a past participant via our website. I personally worked with this participant on our Restoring Family Ties’ project. I particularly remember how helpful he was to us as facilitators and the group as a whole. He always said the most poignant of words/reflections that were both touching, motivating, encouraging and memorable. Later this participant became an Unlock Drama Peer Mentor, giving back and helping the lives of others through Peer Lead support and mentoring. This message means the absolute world to us all at Unlock Drama: “Hiya I did 5 of these courses in hmp lindholne and really enjoyed it so much I believe the courses changed my life and made me the man I am today keep up the good work and thank you guys your amazing” Unlock Drama’s transforms lives, rehabilitates and reduces reoffending! Couldn’t be prouder!

At Unlock Drama, our initiatives focus on boosting the mood among participants grappling with various mental health challenges. Our projects, designed as transformative experiences, help participants step out of isolation and engage actively in rehabilitation. The impact is measurable: a significant uplift in mood from the start to the end of our programs, as seen in our latest 2024 data. By facilitating positive emotional states, we empower individuals to effectively engage with other rehabilitation steps, enhancing their reintegration into society and reducing the likelihood of reoffending. Let's continue making strides in mental health together! 🎭🌟 www.unlockdrama.com rebecca@unlockdrama.com #UnlockDrama #Wellbeing #ImprovedMood #MentalHealth

At Unlock Drama, we take pride in our impact on mental health awareness through our innovative theatre projects. Our workshops offer more than just performance; they provide a platform for critical issue-based dialogue that reaches deep into the hearts of participants. From the quiet individual finding their voice, to the vibrant discussions post-performance, our participants have shared how these projects have profoundly affected their lives and mental health. One participant noted, "It’s a very supportive environment," highlighting the safe space we create for expression and growth. Another reflected, "Theatre is so successful in raising awareness because it focuses people's attention," which underscores the transformative power of our approach. "The experience was absolutely amazing and gave me a deeper understanding of my own mental health journey, helping me feel more engaged and creative." These projects serve as a powerful platform for participants to voice their experiences, fostering a deeper understanding and empathy within the community, illustrating the transformative power of our approach to mental health through drama. www.unlockdrama.com rebecca@unlockdrama.com #Wellbeing #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalWellbeing #UnlockDrama

At Unlock Drama, one of our foremost aims is to significantly boost the confidence of our participants, recognising that heightened self-assurance is pivotal for effective rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society. Our latest data underscores the profound impact our programs have on this front. As evidenced by the pre and post-project confidence graphs, we observed a notable increase in participants rating their confidence at the highest levels post-project. Initially, the majority of participants expressed lower confidence levels, but by the end of our interventions, a striking majority reported top-tier confidence levels, showcasing a shift from minimal confidence to a robust self-belief. This transformative journey is vital; it empowers participants to actively partake in further educational, training, or employment opportunities, crucially reducing the likelihood of reoffending and aiding in a smoother transition back into the community. The graphs not only highlights the success of our methods but also reinforces our commitment to developing programs that have a tangible, positive impact on lives. www.unlockdrama.com rebecca@unlockdrama.com #UnlockPotential #Rehabilitation #ConfidenceBuilding #SocialImpact #UnlockDrama #ReducingReoffending #Recidvism

Expanding Our Impact in Secure Children’s Homes We’re incredibly proud of the strides we made in 2024, strengthening our partnerships with three Secure Children’s Homes, where our unique theatre-based workshops made a significant impact. By engaging with the staff and young residents, Unlock Drama has fostered environments that encourage personal growth and community-building. Our workshops provide a safe space for self-expression, helping young people to step out of their comfort zones and engage with critical issues. Staff feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, noting remarkable improvements in teamwork, communication, and personal confidence among participants. “Seeing a shy participant take a leadership role was profoundly moving,” shares Janet from Aldine House. Chris from the Learning Coordinator observed, “The project not only enhanced team-building skills but also allowed the children to open up about mental health comfortably.” As we look towards 2025, we’re excited to continue these partnerships and hope to expand our reach, helping more young people in Secure Children’s Homes benefit from our programs. It’s more than just a workshop; it’s about changing lives and empowering young people to see beyond their current circumstances. www.unlockdrama.com rebecca@unlockdrama.com #SCH #SecureChildrensHome #SecureEstate #ChildrensHomes #YJB #YouthJustice #UnlockDrama

Expanding Our Reach: Unlock Drama’s Impact Beyond the Stage At Unlock Drama, our reach extends far beyond the immediate participants in our projects. This year, our innovative peer-led performances, which tackle vital issues such as substance misuse, violence reduction, and mental health awareness, have made a significant impact. By transforming participants into actors, we not only empower them but also educate and engage an audience comprising staff and peers from the facilities we work with. The conclusion of each performance week features an original play that brings critical topics to the forefront, followed by a Q&A session. These discussions are crucial; they open doors for change, prompting staff to ask important questions about further support and actions they can take. It’s a chance for everyone involved to reflect on these profound issues and consider what can be done differently. Our audience’s engagement is just as important as the participants’ transformation. This year alone, we’ve successfully reached 255 staff members and 75 peers, totaling 330 individuals who have gained insight and understanding from our presentations. These are not just numbers—they represent a community of individuals who are now better equipped to handle and understand complex challenges affecting those in custody and the community. Such initiatives are particularly beneficial for long-term inmates nearing release, providing them with crucial preparation for reintegration into society. Our work in secure children’s homes also highlights the adaptability and broad impact of our projects. We take this moment to commend all participants for their bravery and openness in sharing such impactful messages. Every performance and discussion is a step toward positive change and enhanced community understanding, proving that through creativity and collaboration, transformation is possible for individuals and the broader community alike. www.unlockdrama.com rebecca@unlockdrama.com #Audience #Theatre #PeerLead #Prison #Community #UnlockDrama #PrisonReform #SCH

🌟 Unlock Drama: A Transformative Journey at HMP Elmley 🌟 Over the course of five incredible days, the third Unlock Drama workshop at HMP Elmley brought together a group of participants to explore identity, challenge stereotypes, and share their stories. This project gave participants a creative platform to express themselves and showcase that they are much more than the labels society places on them. The workshop culminated in a heartfelt performance of an original play, created entirely by the participants. Centred around the theme of identity and the dehumanisation often experienced in prison, the play was a powerful reminder that every person is more than their mistakes. One moving moment saw participants share what they miss most about life outside: "I miss the rain on my face," "I miss walking barefoot on the grass," "I miss looking at the moon," "I miss my family." The audience, including staff from the Change, Grow, Live (CGL) department and other prison programs, were deeply moved by the talent, creativity, and resilience of the participants. 💬 Feedback from participants said it all: "This workshop has been an eye-opener." "It has given me confidence and hope." "Things like this need to happen more often in prison." Unlock Drama continues to inspire, break down barriers, and foster connection through the power of storytelling and performance. 🙌 Let’s keep supporting initiatives like this that help build empathy and transform lives. www.unlockdrama.com rebecca@unlockdrama.com #UnlockDrama #CreativityInPrison #BuildingHope #Neurodiversity #NeurodiversitySupportLead #NeurodiversityInPrison #RehabilitationThroughArt #PrisonReform Change Grow Live

Unlocking Potential Through Tailored Learning at Unlock Drama 🌟 At Unlock Drama, we've always believed in the power of tailored educational approaches. Our recent data sheds light on just how our participants learn best, reinforcing the effectiveness of our methods. A significant 44.1% of our learners excel with a hands-on approach, actively engaging in practical, real-world applications. Meanwhile, 30.1% absorb knowledge best through listening, benefiting from our interactive discussions and auditory learning opportunities. This alignment between our participants' learning preferences and Unlock Drama's teaching strategies underscores the importance of customised education. It's not just about adapting to different learning styles; it's about transforming these insights into actionable, engaging educational experiences that foster real change. By focusing on these preferred learning methods, we ensure that every session is not only informative but also transformative, helping participants to not only learn but also apply their knowledge effectively. As we continue to refine our programs, these insights drive our commitment to fostering environments where all participants can thrive and unlock their full potential. The feedback we receive is not just data—it's the voices of those we serve, guiding us to better support their journeys. Unlock Drama's innovative approach to education, enrichment, rehabilitation, personal development and more has a proven track record of our learners engaging; unlocking their true potential. www.unlockdrama.com rebecca@unlockdrama.com #UnlockDrama #EducationInnovation #LearningStyles #ParticipantDriven #TheatreInEducation #PrisonEducation