Arts Mentoring for Released Prisoners: Our Mentees
Every year the Koestler Awards identify prisoners with exceptional creative talent. Supported by The Paul Hamlyn Foundation, we have launched a major 3-year pilot to support 50 of our award winners to continue their arts activity after release.
Who can be mentored?
The Koestler Trust wants to work with individuals who:
- Have won a Koestler Award;
- Are keen to continue in the arts post release;
- Are due for release sometime before April 2011;
- Know where their Resettlement Area will be and who there Probation Officer is;
- Are based in a prison in England or Wales.
We are particularly interested in working with individuals aged 30 and under although anyone older who can demonstrate that they are both talented and keen to take part in the project will also be eligible.
What support will a mentor provide?
Mentors offer 10 mentoring sessions over a twelve month period with the first mentoring session usually taking place while the mentee is still in custody. The mentor will use this session to support the mentee in setting some realistic goals for him/herself.
The community based mentoring sessions will then involve:
- giving feedback on the mentee’s latest artistic creations and suggesting new forms of inspiration;
- Mentor and mentee working jointly – e.g. both drawing the same subject or both carrying out a writing exercise together;
- Giving information about events, courses and other opportunities;
- Introducing the mentee to other local artists or groups;
- Accompanying the mentee to arts events – e.g. an exhibition, a performance or a poetry reading;
- Accompanying the mentee to open days or interviews for courses;
- Encouraging the mentee to submit work to competitions or for publication.
If you know of someone who might like to be mentored please ask them to contact Vikki at the Koestler trust
Alternatively, please print off the following documents and pass them on to the individual concerned.
Mentee Application Form (PDF)
Mentee Application Form (Word Doc)
Mentoring Leaflet(Word Doc)
Project Information (Word Doc)
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