Novus - Foundations for Change

In celebration of Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) Employability Day, we want to share with you the importance of work experience for learners in prison. This year’s theme for employability day is ‘Employment support for every citizen’. Everyone has the right to work, but with millions of people across the UK not having access to employment support, it’s important as organisations and individuals that we share our experiences and solutions to support more people into work. At Novus, employment support is an integral part of our education provision. In order to reduce reoffending rates, we offer learners a variety of work experience opportunities so that they can gain industry-relevant skills and knowledge in their chosen career path, helping them find long-term employment upon release. To learn more about the importance of work experience whilst in prison, read below: https://lnkd.in/eFAeStPg #EmpDay2024 #WorkingForBetterWork

We are delighted to announce that the “Speak up! Speak Well!” public speaking course has started this week at HMP Pentonville! In collaboration with the University of Westminster and the Rt Hon John Bercow, the course will run from September to the end of October, with the aim of improving learner’s confidence, communication and listening skills. The first session of the public speaking course was held this week and was a huge success with John Bercow former speaker of the House of Commons and Dr Randhir Auluck, FRSA from the University of Westminster speaking at the event. Overall, 12 learners and 4 colleagues actively engaged in the session which is a great result. We can’t wait for the next session! 

Today we invited experts from across the prison education sector to our round table in Westminster, to discuss putting work, skills and growth at the heart of rehabilitation. Topics discussed included: How can prison education be improved to reduce reoffending by enabling more individuals to find work after their release? What are the main obstacles that prevent prisoners from progressing into sustainable employment after release? What examples of best practice in employment, employability, and skills training could be rolled out to support rehabilitation nationally? What lessons can be learned from pilots of apprenticeship programmes for serving prisoners to open up access to more individuals? It was a fantastic opportunity to share ideas, maximise opportunities and look at ways that we can innovate and collaborate to make real lasting change for prison learners, helping them secure sustainable employment on release and reduce reoffending. We’ll be sharing more on the ideas discussed very soon, but for now, thank you to Peter Cox, John Thornhill, Andy Holland, Jon Collins, Henry Foulkes, Graham Briggs, Paul Johnston, Mick Mills, Paddy Craven FIEP, Hannah Owen and Ciaran Roche for joining us and to Stephen Exley for chairing, we can’t wait to take many of the ideas forward.

Today, we are excited to celebrate achievements from the last 12 months and plan for the next few years at our Novus Manager’s Conference. Events like this are invaluable in bringing managers together, giving them the opportunity to reflect on the great work that has already happened and share ideas on how we can become even better in the coming months and years. So far, we’ve heard from John Thornhill, Peter Cox, and Annick Platt, along with giving managers the space to share their ideas on what could make Novus even better. We can't wait to action many of these ideas, and for our managers to go back to their establishments empowered to make an even bigger difference for their teams, which will ultimately positively impact on the delivery to our learners. 

Recently, the education department at HMP Risley delivered a one-page comic, in-cell programme to Novus learners to engage them in education as well as encouraging them to read. The one-page comic is a story told using a series of illustrated pictures and short panel descriptions. Unlike a book, it includes very little writing, with most of the story being presented in picture format. Comics play a valuable role in supporting lower-level readers and by using the combination of images and text it makes it more accessible and easier to read therefore engaging learners. To read more about the project, read the article below: 

On National Read a Book Day we wanted to highlight the importance of reading as a rehabilitation tool and share some of the great work that Novus colleagues are doing across our establishments. An estimated 57% of adult prisoners have literacy levels below those expected of an 11-year-old and over 30% of prisoners have a learning difficulty or learning barriers, so it is vital that we engage learners in literacy, so they can gain the basic skills needed to navigate through daily life. By improving their confidence and ability in literacy, we help learners close their skill-gaps so they can find and retain employment upon release, in turn reducing reoffending rates. From tailored lesson plans, learning difficulties and disabilities (LDD) screeners, and support strategies to support learners in classes, we are making sure that all learners can access education in a way that benefits them. To find out more, read the full article on our website https://lnkd.in/eKFsGppY

If you are thinking about making a move to prison education, take a look at David McBride's post below. There are so many benefits, including no working weekends and holidays (also your holidays don't have to be taken in the school holidays if you don't want to). We have a wide range of roles available, across many areas of England and Wales, why not visit novus.ac.uk/careers for more information.

HMP Low Newton recently had a visit from Mott MacDonald to support with the employment provision at the prison. A team of project managers from Mott MacDonald delivered a session to 6 female learners, focusing on helping them identify and develop their soft skills in preparation for future employment. Partnering with employers such as Mott MacDonald is integral to the employment support we offer learners. Through collaborative partnerships, we can connect learners with leading, socially engaged employers where they are able to learn and gain valuable employment skills and knowledge that will help them find employment upon release. To learn more, click on the link below: https://lnkd.in/eaBjFaHZ

We Roar is a transatlantic prison project devised by Faye Claridge, in partnership with Novus and the Prison Creative Arts (PCAP) at the University of Michigan (USA). The project supported 40 learners in 20 prisons across England and America to create artwork and poetry. The artwork produced by learners was then collated into an exhibition and toured across UK prisons that were involved in the project, visiting multiple prison sites that Novus operate in. Following the UK prison tour, ‘We Roar’ travelled to the USA to be featured at the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair. Our National Lead for Creative Arts and Enrichment, Sarah Hartley had the fantastic opportunity to travel to America with the We Roar exhibition and shared her unique experience. To read more about Sarah’s journey, click on the link below:  https://lnkd.in/gzxbGK2t

Novus colleagues are looking forward to taking part in the #Pride2024 celebrations in Manchester this weekend! This year’s theme is “Buzzin to be Queer – A hive of progress”. The worker bee, which is deeply rooted in Manchester’s history, has been chosen as the focal symbol for this year’s Pride Parade theme celebrating the commitment to progress, inclusivity, and equality that Manchester Pride champions. Prison learners across the North-West including those from; HMP Risley, HMP Hindley, HMP Buckley Hall, HMP Liverpool, HMP Thorn Cross, HMP Altcourse and HMP Preston have created fantastic pieces of artwork that will form part of the walking parade. Novus colleagues have been participating in the Manchester Pride Parade for 6 years and we believe the event is extremely important for learners to be able to participate through creating artwork, as it fosters inclusion and diversity, helping to build a sense of community and acceptance. The involvement in Pride also empowers learners by validating their experiences and identities, contributing to their personal and social development. Take a look at some of the fantastic designs' learners have created for the Parade below: