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Join Clinksimagine if was founded in 2015 to instigate real change in people’s lives through theatre. The company is run by founding Artistic Director, Francesca Joy and is based in Armley, Leeds.
imagine if has a strong track record of working in prisons nationally and with prison leavers in the community, with the main geographical focus being across Yorkshire. Over the last five years, imagine if has worked in 26 prisons across the UK and USA, engaged with over 4,000 prisoners and continue to support prisoners when they are released into the community, for as long as individuals require support.
imagine if has demonstrated that theatre is a powerful tool that can be used to reach out and connect with people from all parts of society. The company creates thought provoking theatre about real and challenging societal issues, focusing predominantly on the causes and consequences of social and economic disadvantage. These challenging issues are addressed through accessible theatre performances, educational narratives, drama workshops and specialised interventions.
imagine if’s work aims to actively improve disadvantaged people’s lives through theatre, engaging with prisoners, people with convictions, recovering addicts, abuse victims and homeless young adults across the UK.
The company’s main focus now is to work with people with convictions in the Yorkshire community recently released from prison, with a focus on prison leavers from HMP Moorland and HMP Lindholme.
imagine if has a strong track record of working in prisons nationally and with prison leavers in the community, with the main geographical focus being across Yorkshire. Over the last five years, imagine if has worked in 26 prisons across the UK and USA, engaged with over 4,000 prisoners and continue to support prisoners when they are released into the community, for as long as individuals require support.
imagine if has demonstrated that theatre is a powerful tool that can be used to reach out and connect with people from all parts of society. The company creates thought provoking theatre about real and challenging societal issues, focusing predominantly on the causes and consequences of social and economic disadvantage. These challenging issues are addressed through accessible theatre performances, educational narratives, drama workshops and specialised interventions.
imagine if’s work aims to actively improve disadvantaged people’s lives through theatre, engaging with prisoners, people with convictions, recovering addicts, abuse victims and homeless young adults across the UK.
The company’s main focus now is to work with people with convictions in the Yorkshire community recently released from prison, with a focus on prison leavers from HMP Moorland and HMP Lindholme.
Contact
Address
Crown House
94 Armley Road
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS12 2EJ
United Kingdom
Work Tel. No.
07495 645 412
admin@imagineiftheatre.co.uk
Website
http://www.imagineiftheatre.co.uk
In Brief
Primary Field of Work
Other
Custody or Community
Custody
Community
No. of service users
840
No. of Paid Staff
3
No. of Volunteers
2
No. of peer mentors
0
Organisation type
Social Enterprise - non-profit
Legal status
Charitable incorporated organisation
Year of Formation
2014
Organisation's Income
£50k - £100k
Contract History
Supporting information
BOTW ran at HMP Leeds, HMP Wealstun and HMP Doncaster in 2017. 94% of prisoners felt
they had improved in confidence and teamwork, over 91% saw improvements in
communication skills, creativity and drama skills, whilst 81% felt they had improved in
employability skills. Prison staff recognised the success of the course, as the Director of HMP
Doncaster stated, “A truly inspiring workshop that is so different to any I have attended before.
Because of the originality of the style of the workshop, it captured the participants and
audiences’ imagination immediately, resulting in the best possible outcome for the
participants.” One past participant from HMP Leeds stated that “it was the only thing that was
inspiring in prison. Because of Bird on the Wing, I got a job within four weeks of getting out and
I have remained in work since”. David now works full time at Waitrose and has also been
employed by Imagine If Theatre on an ad-hoc basis to represent the company.
they had improved in confidence and teamwork, over 91% saw improvements in
communication skills, creativity and drama skills, whilst 81% felt they had improved in
employability skills. Prison staff recognised the success of the course, as the Director of HMP
Doncaster stated, “A truly inspiring workshop that is so different to any I have attended before.
Because of the originality of the style of the workshop, it captured the participants and
audiences’ imagination immediately, resulting in the best possible outcome for the
participants.” One past participant from HMP Leeds stated that “it was the only thing that was
inspiring in prison. Because of Bird on the Wing, I got a job within four weeks of getting out and
I have remained in work since”. David now works full time at Waitrose and has also been
employed by Imagine If Theatre on an ad-hoc basis to represent the company.
Partner organisations
National Careers Service
Arts Council England
Regions
Yorkshire and the Humber
East Riding of Yorkshire UA
Kingston upon Hull, City of UA
North East Lincolnshire UA
North Lincolnshire UA
North Yorkshire
Craven
Hambleton
Harrogate
Richmondshire
Ryedale
Scarborough
Selby
South Yorkshire (Met County)
Barnsley
Doncaster
Rotherham
Sheffield
West Yorkshire (Met County)
Bradford
Calderdale
Kirklees
Leeds
Wakefield
Area covered
National
Fields of Work
Advice & advocacy
Employment
Holistic services
Lobbying & campaigning
Mental health
Personal development
Relationships
Research & academia
Service user involvement
Through the gate
Training
Volunteering
People you work with
Men
Prisoners with short sentences
Remand prisoners