Novus continues creative enrichment across GMMC prisons

 

We are proud to announce the continuation of our enrichment provision across the Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire prison group, following a successful bid win for the GMMC Enrichment Coordinator contract.

Running from 1 July 2026, the contract will see Novus continue to lead and coordinate a high-quality enrichment programme across HMP Buckley Hall, HMP Hindley, HMP Liverpool, HMP Risley and HMP Styal, supporting learners through creative, cultural and developmental opportunities that complement formal education and contribute to rehabilitation.

At the heart of the contract is our Novus Enrichment Coordinator, Zoe,  who has successfully led this work for the past two years. Her continued involvement provides consistency, strong partnership relationships and a deep understanding of the needs of learners and establishments across the region.

Delivering the Novus Creative Enrichment Strategy

The Enrichment Coordinator plays a key role in delivering the Novus Creative Enrichment Strategy within the region, providing dedicated leadership for creative enrichment across multiple prison sites.

Working closely with the National Creative Enrichment team, Zoe coordinates a high-quality programme that reflects both national priorities and the individual needs of each prison. This collaborative approach ensures learners have equitable access to enrichment opportunities while supporting teaching staff to explore innovative ways of engaging learners through creativity, culture and personal development.

Building on a strong foundation

This contract is a continuation of an established and successful service already delivered by Novus across GMMC. Over the previous year, the programme:

• Delivered 90 creative enrichment projects
• Worked with 23 external delivery partners
• Engaged around 1,000 learners
• Supported more than 30 Novus colleagues in developing new approaches to learner engagement through creative practice and partnership working

This renewed contract recognises the impact enrichment is already having across the prison estate and the importance of maintaining a consistent, high-quality offer that supports learners beyond the classroom.

The contract recognises the positive impact that creative enrichment is having across the prison estate and reinforces Novus' commitment to embedding creativity, culture and innovation within prison education.

Over the next nine months, Novus will deliver four enrichment activities each month across the five establishments. Each project will support groups of between 10 and 30 learners, ensuring meaningful participation and engagement.

Why creative enrichment matters in prison education

Creative enrichment plays a vital role in supporting learners to build confidence, develop social skills and engage positively with education. In prison settings, enrichment activity can be a powerful tool for rehabilitation, offering opportunities for self-expression, reflection, teamwork and personal growth.

For many learners, creative and cultural activity provides a route back into learning by building motivation, improving wellbeing and creating positive experiences of participation and achievement. It can help learners to discover new interests, develop communication skills and strengthen resilience - all of which are essential in preparing for progression, release and resettlement.

Enrichment also supports the wider prison environment. Well-planned activities can contribute to improved behaviour, increased learner engagement and stronger relationships between learners, staff and external partners. By connecting education with creativity, culture, family learning and personal development, enrichment helps create a more inclusive and purposeful learning experience.

What Novus will deliver

As part of the contract, Novus will continue to provide a dedicated Enrichment Coordinator to plan, manage and deliver a comprehensive programme of creative enrichment across the GMMC prison group.

Working alongside colleagues from the National Creative strategy team, , Quality Improvement, Curriculum and Business Development teams, the coordinator’s role will include:

• developing and coordinating a region-wide enrichment strategy aligned to prison and regional priorities
• creating and managing annual enrichment calendars tailored to each prison’s learner needs
• delivering and coordinating enrichment activities that promote personal development, rehabilitation, wellbeing and positive behaviour
• embedding diversity, inclusion, British values and family learning throughout the programme
• working with arts, community and cultural partners to deliver innovative projects and events
• recruiting and supporting learners through targeted promotion, peer mentor Enrichment Champions, prison radio, taster sessions and staff engagement

The programme will continue to ensure that enrichment is not an add-on, but an integrated part of the learner journey - supporting educational participation, broadening experiences and helping individuals build the confidence and skills needed for the future.

This reflects the wider ambition of the Novus Creative Enrichment Strategy to make enrichment an integral part of prison education rather than a standalone activity, ensuring more learners can engage, achieve and progress.

Continuing to make a difference

The continuation of this contract reflects our commitment to delivering education that goes beyond qualifications alone. By combining learning with creativity, personal development and meaningful partnership working, we are helping learners in custody access opportunities that support rehabilitation and lasting change.

As the programme continues across GMMC, we are looking forward to building on the success of the past year, expanding opportunities for learners and ensuring creative enrichment remains a key part of education in custody.