Novus Signs Landmark Partnership with UCLan

Novus is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), marking a first-of-its-kind collaboration that will create transformative learning opportunities for students while providing people in prison with a powerful platform to showcase their creativity.

Today, 19 August, Novus and UCLan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will strengthen links between higher education and prison education, enabling knowledge exchange, practical training, and increased awareness of the power of education to change lives.

Creating Opportunities for Students, and Learners in Custody

As part of the agreement, UCLan students from a range of disciplines will gain valuable work placements with Novus, where they will contribute to projects that support rehabilitation, personal development, and employability in prison settings.

The partnership will also see:

• Annual exhibitions hosted by UCLan, celebrating the artistic achievements of learners in prison.
• Career talks delivered by Novus experts to students each year.
• A prison employability strand included in UCLan’s criminology degree programme.
• Joint workshops and training sessions to share expertise and enhance learning.

Through these initiatives, Novus and UCLan will ensure that students gain first-hand insight into rehabilitation and criminal justice, while people in prison are empowered to explore their talents, build confidence, and connect with the wider community.

Showcasing Creativity: The Exhibition of Hope

The collaboration will be celebrated this autumn at UCLan’s Burnley Campus with the Exhibition of Hope, running through September and October. The event will feature paintings, drawings, writings, and botany from learners across 13 prisons, highlighting the importance of creativity in rehabilitation.

By providing a public gallery space, Novus and UCLan aim to challenge perceptions, foster understanding, and inspire dialogue between the prison population and the wider community.

Shared Values: Education as a Transformative Force

Peter Cox, Managing Director at Novus, said:

“This partnership with the University of Central Lancashire is an exciting step forward in showing just how powerful education can be. By bringing together the creativity of people in prison with the energy and talent of university students, we are not only opening up new opportunities but also breaking down barriers. Education has the ability to transform lives, and this collaboration will help us create lasting impact for learners in custody, for students preparing for their future careers, and for the wider community.”

Clive Tattum, Dean of the School of Law and Policing at UCLan, added:

“We are seeking to create meaningful opportunities for learners in custody, University students and the wider community. Through this project, we aim to foster creative expression by providing a public gallery space for exhibitions, and support employment pathways for our students. We are proud to sign this MOU with Novus, a group that share the University’s ambitions of widening participation and encouraging everyone to regard education as accessible to them.”

At Novus, we believe that education is key to rehabilitation and reintegration. This partnership reflects our commitment to widening participation, encouraging creative expression, and ensuring everyone has access to learning opportunities that unlock potential and transform futures.