Pages of my life: Art, care and conversation

Join author and prison educator Andy West (Author of The Life Inside, which was recently adapted for a BBC Series, Waiting for the Out) and philosopher Dr Grace Lockrobin (Co-Director of Thoughtful), to explore themes within artwork created by care experienced young men as part of Creative Aid, a five year creative programme at HMP/YOI Deerbolt Prison delivered in partnership by North East England charities, Blue Cabin and Nepacs.

Andy and Grace have facilitated workshops with the young men, and, during this webinar, you will explore a digital exhibition showcasing some of the artworks.

If you attended our event last year, this will be a chance to explore new work, by a new cohort of young men in Deerbolt. Find out about the philosophical provocations and activities used during this second series of visits to Deerbolt, delve into themes emerging from the artwork, and reflect on what it means to create art as a care-experienced person in prison.

We’ll also examine some of the young men’s perspectives about their work, and gather your responses, which will be shared with the young men.

Whether you’re interested in art and philosophy, have a stake in care, prisons, or education, or are just curious, everyone is welcome to join this session.

Above artwork made by a care experienced person in Deerbolt Prison.

This session will be hosted by Dawn Williams from Blue Cabin. There will be:

• Short introductions to Blue Cabin, Nepacs, and the Creative Aid project

• The chance to look at some of the artwork created by the young men

• Questions and prompts from Andy and Grace to consider and respond to

“Thank you for sharing your art, poetry and stories. Engaging with and learning from them made me think deeply about the way I work with people in prison at my organisation, and how important creative practice is.”

Attendee, Pages of My Life, 2025

Creative Aid is a five year creative programme delivered in partnership by North East charities, Blue Cabin and Nepacs, thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, Reaching Communities programme. The work with Thoughtful and this event is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Funding the wraparound package of support for care experienced young men, delivered by Nepacs specialists located within the prison, is the Swire Charitable Trust, which recently awarded the charity a grant over three years.