Skip links

Coronavirus information Read more

COVID-19 UPDATE 07.01.2021

COVID-19 and national restrictions meant we needed to quickly respond to a new way of delivery in prison education. Our teams have worked tirelessly to create workbooks and provide new ways of working so that we can continue to support our learners with access to education to enable them to achieve the best outcome they can. 

We are working closely with Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and Youth Custody Service (YCS) to create a COVID-safe programme of learning that has the health and safety of our learners and colleagues at its heart, just as other education settings are doing across the country. Health and safety is an area of critical importance to us and our central Group COVID team has been in continuous operation since the beginning of the pandemic managing and monitoring all risks and issues rigorously and consistently.

About
Creating Foundations for Change Our Story Our Practice Our People Our Locations Equality and Diversity Project and Service Delivery Partnerships
Adult Provision
New Directions Working in Partnership Tate Exchange
Youth Provision
New Directions Working in Partnership Custody to the Community Tate Liverpool
Novus Works
Novus Works Partner Employers Employer Charter
Careers
Let’s Work Together Teach With Novus
News & Case Studies

Contact Us

  • About Us
  • Adult Provision
  • Youth Provision
  • Partner With Us
  • Careers
  • News & Case Studies
  • Contact Us
  1. Homepage
  2. News
  3. Author's Prison Visit Inspires 'Jacob'

Author's Prison Visit Inspires 'Jacob'

Adult Provision


Wed 25 Nov 2015
Close-up of an open book

‘Jacob’ could hardly spell or write a sentence upon his arrival at HMP Wormwood Scrubs.

Some offenders are initially reluctant to engage with education in prison, but the visit of author, journalist and mental health campaigner Rachel Kelly inspired him to embrace his studies with Novus.

Rachel gave a talk on her book ‘Black Rainbow’, a story of her struggle with depression and how she managed to recover through the power of poetry. She delivered a candid account of her time as a young Oxford graduate, working mother and journalist, when she went from feeling mildly anxious to suffering severe depression and discovered the healing power of poetry, which became an integral part of her recovery.

Jacob was so moved by this that he wrote a poem for Rachel, despite his problems with literacy.

Furthermore, he was so buoyed by the experience, he has since gone from strength to strength and now feels motivated to pass his Functional Skills exam with Novus.

The Story

Jacob has expressed a newfound passion for creative writing, and feels his Novus studies have given him a feeling of purpose and self-worth.

Novus Literacy Tutor Denise says: “At a time when mental health problems and depression are becoming more common and the stigma around such issues is finally being lifted, the presentation offered inspiration for anyone seeking to understand depression and alternative ways to treat it.”

Poetry is free to anyone and has no side effects. As Rachel has experienced, prescribing words can be an incredibly powerful remedy.

Novus Tutor Denise

Related Content

View All
Portrait image of Peter Cox

News

Adult Provision / Youth Provision

Ministry of Justice response to Prison White Paper consultation signals positive intent for prison education

Man sprays wall with plaster

News

Adult Provision

Adapting prison education to match employers needs

Get in touch

Novus
Whitworth House
Ashton Old Road
Openshaw
Manchester
M11 2WH

Enquiries:

enquiries@novus.ac.uk
03333 222 888

Careers:

HRSharedServices@ltegroup.co.uk
0161 674 1363

Quick links

  • About Us
  • Adult Provision
  • Youth Provision
  • Novus Works
  • Careers
  • News & Case Studies
  • Contact Us
  • Colleague HUB

Social media

Twitter Linkedin Facebook Instagram

Novus is a trading name of
LTE Group.

Copyright © LTE Group 2022

SEARCH:

  • Sitemap Terms of use Group Policies Accessibility Data Protection FOI