Shakespeare North and Novus Used Creative Learning to Inspire Reading

Novus, in partnership with Shakespeare North Playhouse, has successfully delivered an innovative creative literacy programme across 13 prisons, helping learners discover new confidence in reading, writing and self-expression.

Funded through a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) contract, the project engaged 184 learners through a series of interactive workshops that combined reading, performance, creative writing and Shakespeare. Designed to promote reading for pleasure and develop essential communication skills, the programme demonstrated the powerful role that creative learning can play in prison education.

As a result of the project, learners produced original monologues, sonnets, poems and speeches, many of which have now been brought to life by professional actors.

Watch actors perform selected learner work

Download the Monologues, Verses, Sonnets anthology
 

Supporting Literacy Through Creativity

Reading is a fundamental building block for learning, employability and rehabilitation. Through this partnership, Novus and Shakespeare North Playhouse sought to introduce learners to reading in an engaging and accessible way, using dramatic texts that were designed to be read aloud, performed and discussed.

The project, titled Monologues, Verses, Sonnets, was delivered across:

• HMP Buckley Hall
• HMP Garth
• HMP Haverigg
• HMP Hindley
• HMP Kirkham
• HMP Lancaster Farms
• HMP Liverpool
• HMP Manchester
• HMP Preston
• HMP Risley
• HMP Styal
• HMP Thorn Cross
• HMP Wymott

By exploring contemporary monologues, speeches, poetry, song lyrics and Shakespearean texts, learners were encouraged to see reading as a shared experience rather than an individual challenge.

The workshops helped learners build confidence, develop comprehension skills and engage with literature in a way that felt relevant, practical and enjoyable.

One learner at HMP Preston reflected:

It has made me look at reading as there is so much more to it than just reading a book.

Another learner at HMP Buckley Hall said:

"I have realised that I would enjoy reading different genres more than I thought I would and I will now go and get something unexpected from the library."

Making Shakespeare Accessible

A key objective of the programme was to challenge perceptions about Shakespeare and demonstrate that his work can be accessible, engaging and relevant to modern audiences.

Professional actors from Shakespeare North Playhouse performed a range of contemporary and Shakespearean texts, helping learners understand character, story and language through performance.

By first building confidence with modern material, learners were better prepared to engage with Shakespeare's speeches and sonnets later in the day.

The impact was clear.

Learners reported feeling more confident approaching challenging texts and developing a greater appreciation of literature.

One learner at HMP Garth commented:

It made Shakespeare literacy less intimidating to me.

While another learner at HMP Buckley Hall said:

“Seeing the realism that Shakespeare is more than words on a page, it means more when it is acted.”

Developing Confidence, Communication and Creativity

The workshops combined literacy development with creative learning techniques, including:

• Collaborative reading activities
• Character hot-seating
• Group discussion and analysis
• Drama and performance exercises
• Creative writing
• Poetry and sonnet exploration
• Rhythm and language workshops

These activities supported learners to develop communication, confidence, teamwork and problem-solving skills while creating opportunities for self-expression.

For many learners, the programme encouraged them to step outside their comfort zones and discover abilities they did not know they had.

One learner at HMP Manchester reflected:

I now know I can do a bit of acting; this was out of my comfort zone.

Another learner at HMP Garth said:

“We all have a story to tell; I enjoyed the scripts and would like to do more writing.”

Staff across participating prisons reported exceptionally high levels of engagement, particularly from learners who do not always engage in traditional classroom-based learning.

A tutor at HMP Preston observed:

I have never seen so many harder-to-reach learners actively writing, reading aloud and getting involved.

The Impact of Partnership Working

The success of the programme highlights the value of bringing together education providers, prison staff and cultural organisations to create meaningful learning opportunities for people in custody.

Professional actors and creative practitioners worked alongside Novus education teams to create safe, supportive and inspiring learning environments where learners could explore new ideas and express themselves creatively.

The authenticity and enthusiasm of the practitioners was repeatedly highlighted in learner feedback.

One participant at HMP Hindley described the experience as:

“I feel like I have been picked up from prison and dropped into another planet, it's been unreal.”

Project Impact at a Glance

The programme delivered significant outcomes across the prison estate:

• 184 learners engaged
• 278 books distributed to learners and prison libraries
• 13 prisons involved
• 78 hours of delivery

Collaboration between Novus, HMPPS and Shakespeare North Playhouse teams

Perhaps the most telling measure of success came from learners themselves.

At several sites, participants chose to remain in the workshops rather than attend alternative recreational activities.

As one learner commented:

I skipped the gym because I wanted to come back this afternoon.

Celebrating Learner Voices

Following the workshops, learners were invited to continue developing their own creative writing, producing original monologues, speeches, sonnets and poems inspired by the programme.

The quality, honesty and imagination demonstrated in the submissions led to the creation of a learner anthology, celebrating voices from across the 13 participating prisons.

To further recognise learners' achievements, selected pieces have been professionally performed by actors, ensuring their work is shared with wider audiences and celebrated as valuable creative contributions.

Transforming Lives Through Education

The Monologues, Verses, Sonnets project demonstrates how education can extend far beyond the classroom.

By combining literacy, creativity and performance, learners developed confidence, communication skills and a renewed interest in reading. Many also discovered a passion for creative writing and expressed a desire to continue exploring literature after the project ended.

The strong response from learners and staff alike has reinforced the importance of creative partnerships in supporting rehabilitation, personal development and educational achievement.

Novus is proud to have worked alongside Shakespeare North Playhouse, HMPPS colleagues and learners across 13 prisons to deliver a project that not only improved engagement with reading but also empowered learners to find and share their own voices.

Together, we continue to demonstrate the transformative power of education in changing lives.