Greater Manchester Probation Trust

Women Win Awards in National Arts Competition

03 Nov 2009

REBECCA Davies and Kelly Brady have both won awards in a prestigious national scheme that recognises artwork created by offenders.
Both of the women are supervised by the Greater Manchester Probation Trust (GMPT) in Bolton.

Rebecca, who is 21, won a highly commended certificate and prize in the annual Koestler Trust Arts By Offenders scheme, while Kelly received a commendation.
The women are also part of Bolton's Women's Supervision Centre, which is based in the town's probation office and works to reform and rehabilitate female offenders.
The centre, which itself has been nominated for a national award, carries out offence focused work. Creative writing and poetry sessions were used to encourage the women to think about their offences and lifestyles.
Rebecca said: "I started writing poetry with my mum and I love it, I am so pleased to have won this award and it's an amazing feeling.
"I write about my thoughts and my problems with alcohol.
"Probation has really worked for me, my probation worker stopped me from getting in more trouble, and now I'm really addressing my problems. It has also been a great boost to my confidence to win this certificate."
The awards scheme, named after radical left-wing novelist and academic Arthur Koestler, attracts more than 5,000 entries per year and inspires offenders to take part in the arts and transform their lives.
Kelly, aged 19, said: "Writing poetry has helped me, but I never expected to win anything, and so this feels brilliant."
Emily Lam, GMPT board member, handed the certificates to the two women.
She added: "I was a magistrate for 10 years and I never had the pleasure of presenting an award to someone who had made good.
"You have both done wonderfully and are a credit to yourselves, and you also set a fine example of what can be achieved."
The Women's Supervision Centre was short listed for a Butler Trust Award, the most prestigious scheme for probation and prison organisations, and finished in the top 10 in the National Justice Awards in the 'team work' category.