CARRY

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 MENTAL HEALTH & wellbeing
methods creative workshops, steel relief screen design & in-house fabrication

Carry is a bespoke artwork co-designed and fabricated at HMP Altcourse by two groups of Novus learners working with Creeq. An exceptional participant-led project, it was commissioned to engage 'hard to reach' participants with experience of mental health support within the prison, or at risk of self-harm and suicide.

Creeq led a series of creative workshops linking wellbeing, art and history, using Royal Horticultural Society archives from a WW1 internment camp. With this starting point, the group creatively explored past and present links between the outdoors, wellbeing and incarceration to design a new artwork for the site. Participants chose to design an external, site-specific installation, to enhance an area of the prison near healthcare, with a design incorporating aspects of prison life at Altcourse.

Through a digital system, participants invited all 1,200 prisoners to submit ideas and sketches to add to the design. We also visited the prison’s pioneering birds of prey wellbeing programme and collaborated with the well-established fabrication department to produce the artwork in-house, designed and made by incarcerated people for fellow prisoners.

A project film of the process is currently in production to create a lasting legacy and share this journey with friends, family and the public. This testifies to the project’s positive outcomes for participants; growing in transferable social skills, technical abilities, teamworking and confidence as well as developing peer support.