cOMMISSIONED BY novus at hmp altcourse
based on research with the royal horticultural society CONNECTING rhs archives of gardening in incarceration
with men in prison exploring wellbeing impacts
methods creative workshops, metal screen design & fabrication collaboration

Carry is a bespoke artwork co-designed in prison with participants on the Plants, Prison & Potential programme, devised by Faye Claridge based on Royal Horticultural Society archives from a WW1 internment camp.

The trauma-informed programme uses archives to inspire creative workshops around wellbeing and gardening and its outcomes are participant-led. The HMP Altcourse (Liverpool) group are experts by experience in mental health challenges and chose to design a metal screen connecting the prison's healthcare unit and main population. Incorporating invited contributions from the entire prison, participants collaborated with the metal fabrication department to produce the artwork in-house, designed and made by incarcerated people for fellow prisoners. A project film of the process shares this journey with friends, family and the public.

Responses from participants show:

100% saw wellbeing improvements in taking part

Improvements in happiness and optimism rated highest with other key mental health benefits:

• Feeling more useful

• Feeling more capable of decisions

• Feeling more relaxed

100% rated the experience 'excellent'

100% would recommend the project to others

75% were completely new to creative enrichment (25% have previously taken part 'just a little')

Project film

Soon you'll be able to see the journey of Carry being created at HMP Altcourse in Liverpool and hear about the impacts of its production.

We're currently seeking permission from the Ministry of Justice to share the video, so in the meantime enjoy this video from HMP Hewell's iteration of the Plants, Prison & Potential programme.