Focusing on your strengths in prison
People in prison are constantly reminded of their mistakes. So, what happens when you are instead reminded of your strengths? In this blog, Rosie, one of our coaches, shares how affirmations and challenges help participants to see their potential, set goals, and grow.
The prison environment focuses on people’s mistakes rather than their potential, which can leave people feeling defined by their past. At StandOut, we challenge this narrative by weaving affirmations, strengths and constructive challenges throughout our programme. By using this approach, we see participants discover their potential, set goals for themselves and work towards meaningful growth.
Affirmations are a cornerstone of our course. In our 1:1 sessions, we point out what we have seen in each participant; qualities such as resilience, empathy and supportiveness often come up. These moments often help participants see what they are capable of; offering them hope and belief in their ability to change. It is here that they begin to take ownership of their future; setting goals, reflecting on their strengths, and understanding that their future is not limited by their past.
By taking a strengths-based approach to our work in prison, we help the people we work with to identify what they do well and then go on to encourage them to build on their strengths. This does not mean ignoring the challenges, which we instead reframe as opportunities for growth. By focusing on their strengths while addressing their challenges, our participants start to see themselves as capable of progress rather than stuck in a pattern. We call this taking a growth mindset over taking a fixed mindset - one of two mindset shifts we support people to make during our course (the other being embracing a power over a victim mindset).
One of the highlights of the course is graduation. Here we have the chance to celebrate our participants and their commitment, in front of their peers, prison staff, volunteers and the StandOut team. During graduation, the coaches share personal affirmations and challenges for each participant, grounded in what they have shown during the course. In prison, it is rare to hear someone publicly acknowledge your strengths, and so this can be a powerful, even emotional part of the course for our participants. The challenges our participants receive then affirm their sense of direction, giving them something to work on as we continue to support them into the future.
Here's an example from our most recent course:
Affirmation: We have loved your engagement and how you listened with respect. You have such a willingness to learn and try new things. We have seen you quietly take it all in and we also love your desire to want to help other people who have been in similar situations to you.
A Challenge: We want you to know that it is okay to ask for help. We feel we have got to know a warm and friendly side to you, and we want you to bring the energy we saw at mock interviews into other spaces. We would love to see you speak up more in groups and show enthusiasm when you feel it.
One participant said, of hearing his affirmation and challenge read out at graduation:
“I felt so emotional up there, no one ever takes the time to say things like that and notice the good in me.”
The journey does not stop at our course graduation; StandOut coaches continue to support participants during their remaining time in custody and into the community - for as long as they need us. We continue to use a strengths-based approach in these next phases of our support as this mindset gives the participants the tools to continue to grow and develop, even when they are faced with the inevitable challenges that arise after prison.
Affirmations are an important part of our strengths-based approach, and a hugely valued tool in fostering the transformation we are committed to. They remind people of their potential and worth, inspiring them to keep striving towards their goals and a brighter future. I believe it helps lay the foundation for lasting change - even in the most difficult environment.
Rosie Barnes, Coach at HMP Wandsworth