Visits across the north of England

Our Director of Outreach, Sarah, is undertaking her annual visits to establishments across the UK to celebrate the achievements of entrants, meet with staff, and importantly, to encourage future entries – she wrote about the visits she’s done so far.

This week, I’ve been travelling across the north of England, visiting prisons ahead of the April deadline for the Koestler Awards. So far, I’ve spent time at HMP Manchester, HMP Garth, HMP Wymott, HMP Lancaster Farms and HMP Kirkham.

At each prison, my aim has been the same: to encourage as many people as possible to submit work. However, the way that message is shared varies depending on the environment.

Not every prison has an art class. At Manchester, for example, I met with Prisoner Information Desk Workers – these are prisoners who support others on their wings to navigate the system. With nine accommodation wings, speaking to these prisoners felt like the most effective way to spread the word. By encouraging them to look out for creative talent and share information about the awards, we hope to reach people who might otherwise never consider entering.

In other establishments, I’ve focused on those already engaged in education, sharing examples of last year’s winning work in the hope it might spark new ideas. It’s been fascinating to hear their reflections on previous entries. A clear favourite has emerged: the Gold Award-winning watercolour ‘Dog Sniffing Hand’. As one prisoner put it, “Painting hands is hard, painting fur is hard – this guy is rightfully showing off that he can do both. I applaud him.”

I’ve also been mindful that creativity isn’t confined to classrooms. Spending time on the wings, I’ve been privileged to see work made in cells, including an exquisite model of Tower Bridge – crafted entirely by referencing a couple of photographs found in a London guidebook.

One particularly special moment was meeting a previous entrant who was a 2025 Platinum Poetry Award winner. The pride and sense of validation were still evident. It was a powerful reminder of the impact that recognition can have – not just on creative confidence, but on someone’s sense of self.

I hope these visits will inspire many new entrants this year and provide even more people with the opportunity to feel valued and have their talents recognised.

[Artwork: Dog Sniffing Hand, Watercolour and Gouache, Gold Award for Watercolour and Gouache, 2025]