Safe Welcome After Prison

Arvon works with like-minded organisations in a shared vision to support beneficiaries as part of their programmes. Recently, we worked with Creative Minds NHS to deliver high-quality, inclusive, and supportive creative writing sessions with ex-offenders. A quote from a participant from Yorkshire, Safe Welcome After Prison:

“I was in addiction for 28 years since the age of 12 when I started smoking cannabis and then I progressed onto harder substances like heroin and other drugs. I was in and out of jail all the time. My partner passed away from overdosing, which took me down a dark road. Luckily, I moved in here, where I am now at SWAP, and I started getting clean and stopped using substances. I was leading a very chaotic lifestyle but now it’s not as chaotic anymore – it’s more rounded.

The sessions with Chris [Thorpe] have taught me to express myself in different ways. I have always written poetry and rap, but this type of writing is a bit different from what I usually do. I have learnt to use words in a different way. I have learnt that anyone can write their thoughts down creatively and we’ve learnt to make new words. I feel I have a better understanding of the English language and I am learning what words mean.

I will carry on writing after the sessions. I’ve got a full A4 pad at home and I haven’t added to it in a long time, but this has inspired me to carry on and do more writing.”