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A new exhibition funded by Arts Council England will showcase artwork and creative writing by care experienced people serving prison sentences.
The Creative Aid touring exhibition will go on show at venues in Manchester, Darlington, Sheffield and Sunderland in late 2026 and early 2027.
The exhibition is part of Creative Aid, a project delivered in partnership by Blue Cabin and Nepacs. Blue Cabin specialises in developing and strengthening relationships between care experienced individuals and the people in their lives through trauma informed creative activities, while Nepacs supports people affected by the criminal justice or care systems.
Jenny Young, director of Blue Cabin, explains more: “The exhibition, which is made up entirely of artworks by young men in HMP Deerbolt, County Durham, will help the public to explore the connections between care, creativity and criminal justice, as well as being a celebration of the creative skill and talents of the care experienced people in prison that Creative Aid has supported.
“We hope it will open up conversations about belonging and rehabilitation, and how society supports care experienced young people.”
The Creative Aid artworks have been produced over a three year period. Professional artists have worked with a different cohort of care experienced people in HMP Deerbolt every year since 2023, exploring artforms including painting, collage, creative writing, music and theatre. All the Creative Aid participants are aged between 18 and 25 and are care experienced.
Jenny Young said: “Care leavers are 12 times more likely to go to prison than people who haven’t had care experience. Blue Cabin focuses all its work on care experienced people, and creativity is central to everything we do. Being creative has been shown to improve resilience and wellbeing in prisons, and we know that it can also help care experienced people build stronger relationships with those around them.”
Creative Aid has been shown to result in:
Amanda Lacey, Nepacs CEO, said: “Having had the privilege of meeting the young men involved in this project, I have seen first-hand the positive difference it has made. By giving them a safe space to express themselves in creative and meaningful ways, the project has helped build confidence, trust, and connection. Through taking part, they have formed new bonds and friendships during what can be an incredibly challenging and isolating time in their lives.”
Catherine Forster, Nepacs care leavers project worker, said: “Working alongside care experienced young men in this context has highlighted the value of creative practice as a tool for engagement and reflection. The project has never been about speaking for them but more about creating a space for them to find ways of expressing themselves through creative practice. The impact is evident not only in the outcome presented here, but in the growth, trust and sense of ownership developed throughout the process.”
The exhibition tour will include a series of public workshops and events led by Thoughtful, an award-winning charity improving learning and lives through philosophical enquiry.
It complements annual online exhibitions and artists’ books showcasing Creative Aid artwork. A selection of the artwork and creative writing has also been featured at the United Nations in New York, as part of the official launch of the Global Charter for Children’s Care Reform during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80).
“Philosophical enquiry is an accessible and intriguing way to engage with artworks and ideas. Through online sessions in 2025, we supported audiences to engage meaningfully with the artworks made by Creative Aid participants. This next phase of the project allows these conversations to continue in physical space, where a diverse range of audiences can discuss some of the fascinating questions raised by experienced artists and their work. We’re delighted to be part of this,” said Dr Grace Lockrobin, Co-Director of Thoughtful.
The Creative Aid touring exhibition is supported by a project grant from Arts Council England. The Creative Aid project is supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.
National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes a share of this to projects to support people and communities to prosper and thrive. During the pandemic, in 2020 alone, The National Lottery Community Fund distributed almost £1 billion to charities and community organisations across the UK.
The public events with Thoughtful are supported by funding from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. Funding the wraparound package of support for care experienced prisoners, delivered by Nepacs specialists located within the prison, is the Swire Charitable Trust.
