Victim Awareness

"Asks participants to explore the impact and ripple effect of crime on the victim and wider society."

For more information about our workshop programme

Workshop

This programme asks participants to explore the impact and ripple effect of crime on the victim and wider society in order to increase empathy and emotional intelligence. It is usually delivered in prison and with ex-offender or pre-sentence settings.

Aims

Increase understanding and skills in restorative practice

Increase confidence, empathy and communication skills

Increase confidence and well-being

Increase awareness of self and others

Increase emotional intelligence

Logistics

Each programme can be tailored and adapted to the needs of the establishment and participants:

6 to 8 sessions per project

5 to 15 participants per project

Ideally involvement with participant’s family or alternative support network

We require partners to recruit participants in advance

Partner staff on site and available throughout project

Partner support gathering relevant data / evidence for evaluation

Costs

Costs depend on:

Additional / specific requirements of partner

Location / travel / accommodation needs

Evaluation depth / requirements

Number of preparatory meetings required

Requests for additional staff

Number of sessions / days delivering

Usually between £1,200 and £1,800.

We work with the participants to devise theatre from their own experiences. This is developed by involving them in games, discussion, role-play, mime and image theatre. The workshops enable them to explore their feelings and experiences and the challenges or ‘oppressions’ they face. We explore alternative solutions to problems and barriers through role-play and discussion and support people to reflect on their own personal challenges in a safe way.

All our projects culminate in a performance back to staff, peers and/or family members. Participants share the themes and learning completed through the project enabling a deeper sense of achievement and learning. Throughout our courses we accredit participants with ASDAN awards in relevant life skills such as Independent living, Leadership and Expressive Arts.

All our practice is underpinned by: Restorative Approaches; Non-Violent Communication and Trauma Informed Approaches.

Here is an example of a theatre project addressing victim awareness, delivering in HMP Hindley. Participants used role play, performance, script-writing, audio and visuals to increase their victim empathy.

Quotes from Workshops

“My attitude towards prisoners and staff has changed and I have realised the benefits of courses.”
“Everything is my favourite and I've enjoyed learning how to be expressive.”
“I enjoyed everything about this course, mainly things like how life situations can be resolved by talking.”
“Coming here is like a moment of freedom. We get treated like equals, we have fun and we are listened to. It’s like being 'out' for a few weeks. With plenty of support.”
“You really helped me understand myself, thank you.”
“I normally don't like talking in groups, but here I feel more comfortable.”
“I've really enjoyed interacting; learning new skills. We get to speak and for once get heard.”
“I like the fact, they create the scenarios themselves; shows openness and willingness to change.”
"Well done, very good, well presented. I think the men did a great job; brave to show their feelings."
“Well done, brilliant. Useful for the prisoners to engage with their emotions.”
“Such a good course, excellent way to encourage the [participants] to explore emotions and behaviours.”
“It was excellent! Very hard hitting. The forum part made me realise how small changes a person makes can make a difference on someone [else’s] life.”
“I have seen the young people improve over the sessions from being awkward and anxious to enthusiastic group team player willing to put forward their own views and listen to their peers.”
“I believe their confidence as improved and they have more of a sense of achievement by completing the programme.”

Odd Arts Funders & Memberships