“A prisoner can suddenly produce a flower from an otherwise

desolate garden”

feedback from a prisoner

Sharon Berry – CEOTerri Bailey – Project Supervisor

Feedback“Excellent, my son stands in front of the

stereo laughing at all the sound effects” feedback from a family

“My 6 year son is autistic and so it’s hard for us to speak on the phone. But he loves the CD and he’s listened to it so much he’s wearing it out!” feedback from a prisoner

Our activities• Story CDs – for over 70 UK prisons • Story & promotional DVDs – at Dartmoor • Partnership Projects –

– Transfer printed literature into audio format– Oral storytelling workshops– Storywriting workshops– Family visit workshops– Storysack workshops

Storysack Workshop Images

Who we work with • Imprisoned parents often have

– Been socially excluded– Limited literacy/parenting skills– Negative experience of education– Tendency to withdraw

• Prisoners’ children may experience– Isolation, shame, mental health problems– Truancy, poor performance at school, delinquency

Brenda’s Story

“Storybook Dads ...would have made such a difference to our lives”

How do we engage our users

“It’s Mummy’s special present for me. I listen to it every night.”

Farrah age 6

Impact on our service users– Source of comfort and reassurance for the child– Helps to maintain meaningful contact reducing risk of re-

offending– Parent can participate in child’s development , thereby

increasing their self –esteem and perceived value as a parent

– Improved skills such as parenting & literacy – Engagement with books, storytelling and imagination for

both parent and child– Editors gain IT skills, OCN qualification & work

experience -

Dean’s Story

“I’m so grateful that Storybook Dads helped me to build bridges with Oliver and his mum and be the Dad that my son needed me to be”

Challenges we’ve faced• Lack of facilities in prison – e.g. no internet

and (initially) lack of space• Prison culture and security• Apathy & negativity• Complexities of setting up a charity• Need for funds!!!!

What we’d like to do more of...

• Reach all eligible prisons• Partnership working• Introducing the model to other organisations

dealing with absent parents• Using our expertise to generate income

Contact

• Please feel free to contact us on:• 01822 322287• info@storybookdads.org.uk

www.storybookdads.org.uk