Testimonials
Tony Sheppard
Tony has visited HMP Manchester on several occasions to run creative writing sessions with groups of men with mild to moderate mental health problems. Health promotion aimed at men is not always easy. Men are often hard to reach in terms of encouraging them to open up about how they are feeling. To get them to think about risks to their health, encourage healthier behaviours and to try out new ways of thinking is challenging. To achieve this with men in prison offers an extra challenge as they often do not want to show any vulnerability for fear of being mocked by their peers. With this in mind Tony developed a session appropriate to this client group.
It was fascinating to observe the groups of men thaw. From their initial cautious stance at the beginning of the course to their literal position at the end; standing in front of each other reading out the words that Tony had encouraged them to write!
Through several writing exercises Tony inspired them to think about their lives, to think about the impact their actions had had on their families and friends and to use words to express how they felt about some of the events that had led them to the present day.
Without exception the men all thanked Tony for his support and encouragement. Through is innovative and creative approach he left behind groups of men who had learnt a new skill. Groups of men who could now express themselves through creative writing and so begin to manage their stress and anxiety levels. He showed them how to let off steam and exercising their brains. He showed them how to enjoy words.
‘Through several writing exercises Tony inspired (a group of men in Strangeways HMP) to think about their lives, to think about the impact their actions had had on their families and friends and to use words to express how they felt about some of the events that had led them to the present day’
Rick Plant, Manchester Public Health Development
‘The young men’s group is a positive thing for young men. Before I came I was a wreck, could hardly get out of the house. It improved my confidence and helped get me back to school’
18 year old service user
‘There are a lot of depressed guys out there, in the group I can talk more openly; it’s a good way to explore problems’.
20 year old service user
‘Wyseguys (young men’s group) is an invaluable resource for socially excluded young men’
Catherine O Neil, Mental Health Practitioner
‘We should keep pushing this invaluable work on the agenda’
Mike Blaney, Family Action Benchill
‘Tony’s workshop leadership is excellent..The sessions have been educational and give a good insight to male adulthood. Fatherhood and responsibilities’
Dawson Bindley-The Edstart project, Manchester
‘Tony has been brilliant, he was able to stay patient and to engage with some really difficult students, the young men have learnt something they didn’t know’
Steven Hogg, The Edstart Project, Manchester