MENTORING
KOESTLER TRUST MENTORING PROJECT
In 2007 thanks to a 3-year grant from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, we innovated a form of support to address the transition out of custody into the community. The project has been so successful we were granted Approved Provider Standard (APS) by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation in 2010 and we received funding for a further 3-years to continue the mentoring project in 2011.
Read the full Project Report(pdf)
Forms & Information
- Mentor Application Form (Word)
- Mentor Application Form (pdf)
- Role Description & Person Specification (pdf)
- Information leaflet (pdf)
- Project Information (pdf)
- Mentor FAQ (pdf)
- Why Prison Art? (pdf)
- Mentee Application Form (Word)
- Mentee Application Form - Youth Offending Team (Word)
- Information leaflet - Youth Offending Team (pdf)
WHY MENTORING WORKS
There is lots of anecdotal evidence that offenders who have taken part successfully in the arts while in prison fully intend to carry on when they are released, but in practice fail to do so. Like many other positive habits and plans made in custody, arts activity often gets lost in the difficult transition back into life on the outside.
There is lots of research evidence that ex-prisoners are more vulnerable to re-offending if they are unemployed, socially isolated, homeless or using drugs. Participation in the arts can lead to employable skills, high self-esteem, collaboration with others and a feeling of purpose in life.
So it makes sense that, if artistically inclined prisoners can be supported to keep up their creative interests after release, this will not only sustain their involvement in the arts, but also have wider benefits for them and for others, potentially breaking a cycle of re-offending.
HOW IT WORKS
The key to the success of the project has been the commitment and calibre of both the mentors we have recruited and trained and the matched mentees. Working alongside Probation and other resettlement services, the 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.
Support could be feedback on the mentee’s latest work, giving information about events, courses and other opportunities, introductions to other artists, accompanying the mentee to arts events and encouraging the mentee to submit work to competitions or for publication.
QUICK LINKS
THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Come Get Ya Meals Stephen & Winifred Tumim Scholarship Award 2010
In order to recognise and reward particularly talented artists who are not due for imminent release and therefore do not fit the criteria of Koestler's current Mentoring project; we have developed a series of Koestler Scholarship Awards.
Find out more about the Scholarship Awards
MENTEES
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.
Find out more about becoming a Mentee
