A Message in a Bottle

Using discarded and found materials readily available in prison, three separate-but-connected projects have emerged from the Creative Enrichment programme exploring recycling cultivated by Novus since Oct 2024. Displayed at HOME’s Inspire Gallery from Mon 17 Mar – Sun 8 Jun, the exhibition showcases work from the three groups of learners, all of whom are aiming to raise awareness about recycling, and encourage and inspire others to reuse or recycle.

Learners across five prisons based in the North West – Buckley Hall, Risley, Hindley, Liverpool & Thorn Cross – represented group one, participating in Novus’ Family Learning project from October – December 2024.

Offering an opportunity for learners and their families to engage in art, the project was run using a ‘family learning’ delivery model. Participants worked collaboratively with artists on-site to initiate the process of making artwork using single-use plastic bags, each with a personal message. A wallet was also made and included a short story based on a recycling hero, which was gifted to their families.

As part of their family day, prison learners applied techniques learned and developed in class to lead educational activities with their family members. This helped the learners to feel empowered and provided both the learners and their families with a meaningful connection to education and a more structured visit. Projects like this play a vital role in supporting family relationships and prisoner rehabilitation, helping children cope with having a parent in prison.

In addition to strengthening family ties, the Family Learning project has helped learners develop essential skills such as confidence, interpersonal skills, self-management, and critical thinking. It also enhanced their communication skills and encouraged them to recognise their individual contributions toward a shared goal.

Commenting on their experience, one participant said “I benefited from this project by learning new art techniques…everyone was motivated and got involved. I feel like I am going to make my kids smile and that’s the biggest benefit you can have.”

A family member that participated in the project said “It was a lovely day in a relaxed happy atmosphere. The personalised story will be a special memory that I will take home, there is now a better bond between father and daughter.”

In November 2024, the opportunity was extended to the Novus learners at HMP Buckley Hall and the T Level Students from the Technical Qualification in Craft and Design at Manchester College. Both groups of learners were given a brief to produce their own interpretations of how we can use plastic in a diverse and useable way linking to employability.

Representing group two, between November 2024 – January 2025, learners from Buckley Hall participating in the Furniture Upcycling NCFE Level 2 Creative Craft course created two pieces of bespoke furniture, influenced by the artist El Anatsui.

One learner upcycled a dining room chair with recycled plastic bags, and another used found objects to embellish a drum stool, making it into a table.

One learner commented, “My piece ‘Recycle our Souls’ is a message to everyone to show that regardless of circumstances we all have a purpose and a future. I feel ecstatic about having a piece of art in the gallery especially as Manchester is my hometown.”

T-level students from a Technical Qualification course in Craft and Design at Manchester College represented group three, engaging in the project in November 2024 as part of their Product Design and Production Unit.

Using plastic fused fabrics provided by the Novus’ learners, the students were required to make a unique bag. This involved research, generation of ideas, fabric samples, and technical skills involving pattern cutting. All the bags produced illustrated a high level of skill, imagination and creativity.

Sarah Hartley, Novus National Lead for Creative Strategies said “The outcomes of this project are outstanding – the inventive use of recyclable materials highlights the creativity and resourcefulness of everyone involved! Creative briefs like this provide valuable opportunities for self-development, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving and positive communication. Such projects inspire a sense of purpose and support reintegration by equipping prisoners with transferable skills”.

Lucy Follon, Creative Development Practitioner for Visual Arts at HOME, said “This exhibition shows us that there is so much beauty to be found in what has previously been discarded with effort, imagination and creativity.”