Resilience and Relationships

"Designed to reduce violence, increase resilience and improve non-violent communication and relationships."

For more information about our workshop programme

Workshop

This three-part programme is designed to reduce violence, increase resilience and improve non-violent communication and relationships. Each programme culminates with a performance by participants sharing the themes and learning completed through the project.

This programme also includes the viewing of one of Odd Art’s professional theatre performances exploring domestic abuse and unhealthy relationships.

Some of the themes / skills we explore and learn include:

Communication skills
Restorative approaches
Managing emotions
Conflict resolution
Understanding needs of self and others
Listening skills
Self worth
Interpersonal violence and victim empathy

Aims

Increase non-violent communication skills

Increase well-being and resilience

Improve relationships

Reduce risk of violence and aggression

Increase emotional intelligence

Logistics

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

12 sessions(half days) per project

5 to 15 participants per project

Potential 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

This programme has been successfully delivered in a number of prisons and secure units.

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 £2,500 and £3,000.

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, whereby 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.

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.

Quotes from Workshops

“I used to spend every probation meeting raging, complaining and kicking off. Now, even with my probation worker, I try to listen, see it from their point of view, even when it’s the last thing I want to do. But it works. I've actually built rapport with probation!”
“My partner got to watch me being responsible.”
“I will be more mindful of my actions, I'm building a healthy relationship with my family, listening to others more.”
“Since I started this course I’ve spoken to my kids and family for the first time since November [6 months ago]. I thought about all the things we’ve learned and the conversation went really well.”
“In prison it's hard to trust or open up. This course has helped me to understand what's going on for the other men, not to make everything all about conflict. If I say hello and they seem off I used to get angry and want to start something. Now I think maybe they've had some bad news or something and I give people space, and I guess empathy.”
“I've been on other courses in prison. Each one has felt like a diluted version of this one. In only 3 weeks I've learnt so much that I've even taken that learning to another course including running a warm up game to get everyone to open up and learn. I actually feel like this is the kind of thing I would like to do when I get out. Use my experiences, the mistakes I've made and the things I've learned to help others prevent that same behaviour. I would never have believed I would find a career from this. It’s given me hope.”
“I’ve had questions answered on this course, that no one has been able to answer before, so thank you.”
“I will think outside the box, understanding the needs of my partner, and not be selfish, I am very different to what I was.”
“Without [Odd Arts] the lads would never have taken a hard/critical look at themselves and their relationships. The feeling of a safe environment, in which to reveal all, was never compromised.”
“The lads have gained confidence, belief in self, have coped with mental health issues, family issues etc in a prosocial way, avoiding confrontation and violence.”
“The effect it had on the men. I saw many ‘lightbulb’ moments. To be honest I wasn’t expecting them and I don’t think the men were either. I would be very surprised if their current and future relationships didn’t benefit from the programme. I especially think the partners of the men involved will benefit from the impact.”
“I didn’t witness any delivery but was at the performance and Q&A. The way the men would not allow their peers to diminish what they had achieved, challenged some flippant opinions and even changed some minds is pretty remarkable in a prison setting.”
“My favourite part was when the programme participants were challenging certain audience members on their thinking & attitude; shows how much the men had learnt.”

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