Journey Woman

A performance and residency for women prisoners

Journey Woman is a week-long programme of theatre and drama based work facilitated by Geese Theatre Company. The week begins with a performance which follows the story of Ellie, a woman who has broken out of the cycle of hardship, offending and prison. Looking back on her life, Ellie revisits key episodes and moments of change such as leaving home for the first time, her first involvement with offending, becoming a mother, her first prison sentence. Throughout the piece the audience are invited to consider the different masks she has worn throughout her life, the different roles she has played and the different life stories she refers to. The audience are placed as experts in Ellie’s life, analysing the crucial moments, exploring her inner feelings and emotions and contemplating how moments from her past have impacted on her present and future.

This performance acts as the catalyst for the following four-and-a-half day residency. This process will engage the women experientially, using drama and active based methods to further explore Ellie’s life, and to make connections between her story and their own stories. Using the metaphor of “a journey” the women will be invited to contemplate where they are, where they want to be, and what obstacles might be in the way. The collective experience of exploring Ellie’s journey, of sharing their own stories and of exploring plans and potential obstacles will enable the women to move forward in their lives with a clearer sense of what is possible and realistic for them.

The key themes that Journey Woman explores are self-efficacy, strategies for coping with imprisonment, avoiding re-offending and problem solving. The residency reflects Geese Theatre’s belief in the efficacy of a combination of theatre, active drama-based and cognitive techniques. The project involves the use of active exercises, role-play, theatrical metaphors such as the “mask” and an exploration of cognitive models of behaviour. The company strives to create a safe and supportive environment in which the women feel enabled to share experiences, discuss and debate strategies and rehearse new roles.

Journey Woman is evaluated using both psychometric testing and an adapted version of the DfES Offenders Learning and Skills Unit self assessment checklist. Participants are invited to complete questionnaires before and after the course to assess shifts in levels of both self esteem and self efficacy. Although the results of recent projects have yet to be formally analysed the testing does indicate very positive trends. Self-assessment forms completed on the last six Journey Woman programmes have produced 87% positive outcomes, with scores of 90% or above on the following statements: I feel better about myself; I have more confidence; I am keener to continue learning; I am more positive about the future; Ihave a better understanding of my own behaviour; and using theatre and drama has made the sessions more memorable. In addition, all participants stated that they would recommend the course to someone else.

The development of Journey Woman was made possible by generous funding from the Arts Council, England.

"An inspirational journey"

Particpant, HMP Newhall

"I got so much more than I expected from the workshop. I would say that all eight girls got some new skill that they can use in prison and in their new life out of prison"

Participant - HMP Foston Hall

"The performance was captivating, poignant and sensitive."

Hannah Robertson, Dramatherapist / Drama Teacher - HMP Foston Hall

"Thank you so much. Prisons like Brockhill really need the opportunity to do some real, consolidated work with the women. It was fantastic to see progress being made"

Staff member, HMP Brockhill

"Geese got it absolutely right and the women were engaged right from the start... If you've not seen their work before I can recommend it."

Trudy McCaffrey, Head of Learning and Skills, HMP Foston Hall