I'm taking Poetry into Prisons

Yes, my friends! I'm Joshua, a poet and songwriter who passionately believes in the power of words to shape our worlds.

Over the last decade, I've spent time performing my work and hosting workshops within Prisons; I've seen first-hand the incredible impact poetry can have in helping someone process their experiences and express their story.

In hopes of sustaining and developing this work, I've started a non-profit called "The Psalmists."

The Vision

Our vision is that by providing a space for creative expression, self-reflection and spiritual formation, we would see a decrease in reoffending rates as inmates leave prison. We genuinely believe that a creative practice is vital for the well-being of a person. Creativity is not a luxury. Creativity is a lifeline.

Our lived experiences need a point of expression, a form of release that leads us to a redemptive rather than a destructive end. These poetry workshops equip the participants with a lifelong tool for self-expression, building confidence, articulation and a belief in their own voice. Poetry is a relief valve for our human experience. We support offenders' emotional and mental well-being by equipping them with the daily practice of writing.

Using the Psalms, we journey through the practices of lamentation, confession and awe, developing a tool for Spiritual growth rooted in the way of Jesus.

The Collection

Over the next year, we'll be curating the pieces written and publishing our first anthology, "The Psalmists Vol1", a collection of poetry written by inmates, following the themes of Lamentation, Confession and Awe.

Your support not only helps facilitate the workshops but also enables us to release these words into the world.

Our goal of £10,000 will allow us to host ten workshops, train more poets in this work and publish our first anthology.

What you'll receive when you donate: