We visited 30 prisons and worked with 731 adults and young people in secure settings throughout 2013/14

HMP Hewell In January, we delivered a series of workshops working with men on the recovery wing exploring substance misuse and offending.

HMP BronzefieldTwo week-long residencies working intensively with women. The project starts with Journey Woman, a full mask performance, followed by workshops designed to explore how to break the cycle of hardship, offending and prison.

“It was nice not to be treated as a criminal for the day. I was treated as a person in my own right. Something I had not experienced since my sentence started.”

“The work I did with Geese has helped me identify problems I know I have to work on to stop reoffending.”

Write to be HeardA large scale creative writing project, commissioned by NOMS and delivered in collaboration with the Arts Alliance, Institute of Education and National Prison Radio Association.

Geese visited 28 prisons with 14 writers and worked with 249 people. Over 80% of prison staff involved strongly endorsed the value of arts events and workshops in prisons.

PRISONS

Geese Theatre Company is a team of internationally renowned, award winning theatre practitioners working with socially excluded and marginalised groups.

We are incredibly proud of our achievements this year; in a challenging climate we have continued to deliver innovative, collaborative projects in the Criminal Justice System, whilst also raising our profile among new audiences.

HIGHLIGHTS 2013/14Life-changing theatre

“I really enjoyed this experience, I’ve taken a lot from it. It will help me to continue with the positive changes I am making. I’m really proud of myself – and everyone else – and very grateful.”

“Sometimes I wonder what I’m doing in prison education. Today’s event reminded me. If there were ever evidence of the method of delivery for engagement and learning, it was provided today.”

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Cheswold Park HospitalIn October, we performed for 60 patients and members of staff in this medium secure hospital. The show was devised in collaboration with staff from the hospital to ensure it was relevant and reflected this particular community.

Broadmoor HospitalA week-long residency, collaborating with the Occupational Therapy team to deliver workshops with a range of patients from the personality disorder and mental health directorates.

Arnold Lodge HospitalWe returned to this medium secure hospital for a second year to deliver 4 workshops with patients on the acute mental health ward.

St Helens Borough Council and Other Ways of BeingOver 16 weeks, two groups devised and rehearsed theatre performances based on their experiences of stigma due to alcohol dependency, which were presented to invited audiences of family, friends and key stakeholders.

Forward at Anawim Women’s CentreGenerous funding from The Lloyds Bank Foundation and Arts Council England has enabled us to develop this project working with vulnerable women, focussing on communication, self-efficacy and goal setting.

Hertfordshire Probation TrustA project delivered over 5 weeks working with 10 prolific and priority offenders exploring the consequences of offending.

We worked with 327 people in community settings in 2013/14

“I enjoyed it all, it’s been brilliant; making up the character and acting in front of people. Please run it again.”

“The people who completed it just ‘loved it’. It was successful in many aspects, and valuable to demonstrate different approaches to group work.”

“I felt elated after every session and I feel it has increased my confidence and self-esteem. It will also encourage me to try new things outside of my comfort zone in the future.”

“Staff and patients felt it was excellent, humorous and a novel approach. All agreed that the scenarios were very

relevant and everyone felt they would love for Geese to come again.”

In addition to receiving regular funding as part of Arts Council Engand’s National Portfolio, we also received Catalyst funding in 2013/14. This matched all other funds raised and provided a great opportunity for us to focus on profile and capacity building.

We could not have continued our life-changing work this year without the generous help of our funders and supporters. Gratitude to The Lloyds Bank Foundation, The Michael Varah Memorial Fund, The Fitton Trust, The Harry Payne Trust, Smith and Williamson, Pinsent Masons and BWA. Thanks also to Drum n Bounce and West Midlands Police, and to Sean Evans for his continued support.

Pictures For ProjectsIn July we held an exhibition of our full mask images developed with Gina Print at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Guests bid for the prints in a blind auction which saw all prints given new homes. Funds raised were put towards local projects.

Special thanks to our Sponsor a Mask supporters:Caroline Jephcott, Ian Pearce, David Newton, Barry Lambert, Tendayi Pearce, Rose Ruddick, Iain Lownes, Sara Low.

Team Geese, consisting of company and Board members, friends and family, ran the Bupa Great Birmingham Run and raised £2,500 for local projects, which was matched by ACE Catalyst Funding!

BIG THANKS

COMMUNITY

We worked intensively with 85 patients in forensic mental

health settings, exploring issues such as inter-personal communication

and the ward as community.

“I feel I can approach people much better. This course has made our ward easier to live in.”

FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH

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Operation Sentinel with West Midlands PoliceWe were commissioned to devise a performance about vulnerable victims and delivered the show 20 times to a total of 980 front line managers.

Transforming RehabilitationOur colleagues in Probation have experienced significant structural change to the way services for offenders in the community are delivered. Our response: to develop a performance for staff training/conferences exploring how staff can deal with these changes, whilst maintaining focus on their core work.

The Armed Forces and PTSRAF St Mawgan in Cornwall commissioned a performance about Post Traumatic Stress as part of an awareness day for serving personnel and veterans. Geese’s trademark use of mask transferred incredibly well to this new audience, and the show went on to also be booked by RAF Brize Norton.

Geese Theatre Company are, from left to right: Louise Heywood, Helen Couzens, Bryan Foster, Kerry Reidy, Emma Smallman, Dave Snook, Daniel Pearce, Yvonne Gregory, Liz Brown and Andy Watson.

In 2013/14 we worked with 4,868 professionals working in criminal justice and social welfare

“Working with Geese is marvellous – as a means to connect practitioners with their basic emotions and motivations for working with children and young people. If you want to inspire, move and challenge people, Geese will be able to do this for you.”

“Few organisations internationally could deliver such a clear synthesis of aesthetic merit and coherent intention. The company have left a deep level of respect and admiration for their artistic practice.”

GEESE THEATRE COMPANY Our brand new website was launched December 2013!

In February we travelled to Australia to deliver staff training and take part in the Creative Innovations in Corrections Conference.

We were proud to receive the Arts and Health Award from the Royal Society for Public Health for ‘substantial, sustained and innovative contributions to arts and health in criminal justice’.

Albatross Arts Project trading as Geese Theatre Company registered in England. Company no: 2182104. Charity no: 327563. Mask design: Sally Brookes. Registered address: Woodbridge House, 9 Woodbridge Road, Birmingham B13 8EH

STAFF TRAINING & CONFERENCES

0121 449 6222 info@geese.co.uk

www.geese.co.uk

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