№5 – Olfactory Workshops for UK Prisons with Mike O'Shaughnessy

Perfume Stories: Alchemy and Essence. This is an innovative research project that employs a multi-sensory approach to learning in Art and Design. This unique methodology aims to facilitate learning and aid in the rehabilitation of prisoners at His Majesty’s Prison in the UK.

Perfume Stories are a series of sensory and storytelling workshops based around Perfume. The participants develop critical learning skills by responding to a series of multi-sensory tasks – writing down and telling their own stories through narratives in poetry, spoken word and image making.

This project began in 2021 when it was installed as part of the Tate Exchange Programme at Liverpool Tate. It was included In the Arts Council funded Project Arts in Enrichment in Custody 2 with Novus.ac.uk in 2023.

By integrating multi-sensory experiences and creative expression, "Perfume Stories: Alchemy and Essence" aims to foster a conducive environment for learning and rehabilitation among incarcerated individuals. This innovative approach acknowledges the potential of sensory stimuli and creative outlets in aiding prisoners' educational journeys and personal development within the prison system.

Since its pilot with prisoners at HMP Liverpool in 2022. This workshop has run with prisoners at four sites, HMP Hindley, HMP Buckley Hall, HMP Liverpool and HMP Risley. Learning groups have included addiction recovery group learners, SOTP (Sexual Offences Treatment Programme) and VP learners (Vunerable Learners). Currently, the project has progressed to its latest phase and is being conducted by Novus staff members across five additional sites situated in the North East: HMP Holme House, HMP Durham, HMP Northumberland, HMP Kirklevington, and HMP Deerbolt.

It's noteworthy that in some of these facilities, the "Perfume Stories: Alchemy and Essence" workshop is incorporated into the Functional Skills English Curriculum.
This expansion demonstrates the program's positive reception and its recognition for its potential benefits within the prison education framework.