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By the shipping basin in Portslade there is an old boat yard whose entrance is covered in murals. This is Making It Out whose tagline is ‘Creative alternatives to repeat offending’.

The team at Making It Out design and make furniture, installations and a range of artefacts from small scale pieces to large public art installations. The difference between MIO and a regular studio is that MIO focuses on supporting people who have come from the prison system or are at risk of offending. It is a space where participants can access job opportunities and learn skills in a creative and supportive environment.

On our most recent visit we spent time in the Art Room, a space tucked away in the back, stacked to the ceiling with artworks of all types. The Art Room is a creative hub that actively encourages artistic exploration, focusing on the creative release that comes from experimenting. A place where participants can socialise and learn from each other.

Sean, who started out as a participant with MIO, is now Artistic Development Coordinator of the project and makes his own work at the studio. Sean explained that through ‘creating such allegorical works at the Making It Out studio, whilst also guiding others in their creativity, I hope to bring a realisation of the cathartic and self awareness that any participant can delve into, on any level’.

There is a playful, experimental element to spending time in the Art Room and the first thing Sean hopes for above everything else is ‘the discovery a client might have of the fun of playing and experimenting with artistic methods and materials’.

Al, a participant who was completely new to painting, showed us a vibrant landscape that he had been working on. He said ‘I have learnt to paint by being in the art room with Sean and it is all about having the freedom to explore.There is no right or wrong; if we get anything wrong, we can start again. Sean just gives us the space to get on and if we need help, we can ask for support. That’s where the growth is.’

Sean’s ‘’Razor wire in the blood’ – is a ceramic piece started during his time in prison. We also loved his ‘Lockdown Self-Portrait’ – 30 individual paintings made over 30 different days. The most recent of his works, ‘The 4 Truths – Social, Personal, Universal and Human’, is a series of colourful sculptures exploring the issues of our time through Sean’s lens.

Sean describes this work as a ‘4 piece sculpture representing my views of 4 types of truth. Different coloured clay creatures represented humanity. This work is part of a trilogy that began with ‘Forgiveness’, a series of paintings from 2020 but developed a couple of years earlier. The third artwork was a painting about the positive/negative aspects of ‘Guilt’.

Ty, who had first picked up a pencil and discovered his rare talent in prison, is also continuing his artistic development with MIO. The walls were lined with huge pop art like paintings of famous icons such as Amy Winehouse and members of Oasis and a large scale , detailed self portrait in pencil.

When we asked Ty about this work he said: ‘ I did my self portrait for a competition. I had only been drawing like this for about 2 years. I had never done any art until 2 years ago. I had done some detailed portraits of famous people before but this is my first self-portrait. I found doing it very challenging as it is hard looking at your own face for long periods of time, but at the same time it seemed to come together quite quickly. I added the Mod badge as that shows my interest and it gave the portrait a splash of colour.’

Outsider artists have always offered fresh insight into real life. They create such important documentation of the realities of life, beyond the normal conventions of the art world. It’s amazing to see the creators and the artists of MIO continue this tradition. We are all hoping for an exhibition of these works someday soon!

See an article about our last visit to Making It Out here >

The first Emmaus community was founded in Paris, shortly after WW2 when a man called ​Georges came to Father Henri-Antoine Grouès for help. Georges had just been released from a 21 year prison sentence and his family were unable to cope with the change. Inspired by George’s story and hardship Father Grouès asked Georges to help him build a sanctuary for homeless people like himself, first in the priest’s garden and then on land scrounged and bought.

Georges became the first Emmaus companion. He later said that ‘what I was missing, and what he offered, was something to live for’ and to this day it is a sense of purpose, beyond just sanctuary,  that Emmaus offers to its companions.

Today Emmaus is an international solidarity movement made up of thousands of men and women whose work is motivated by the philosophy ‘Serve first those who suffer most’ and ‘fight against the causes of poverty’.

Set against the backdrop of beautiful and peaceful gardens, Emmaus Brighton is made up of a series of charity shops and a cafe, entirely run by Emmaus companions in an old convent. We visited on the eve of it’s 25th anniversary and it was a hive of activity with a warm and inviting atmosphere.

The bustling cafe offers food throughout the day, a vast emporium offers vintage collectables, the second-hand superstore is packed with bric-a-brak and preloved furniture and the greenhouse offers everything garden related including honey produced by the garden’s bees. The Old chapel has even been creatively decked out into a vintage clothing store by local charity Making It Out who work with people coming from the prison system in need of structured occupational support.

Unlike regular hostels, Emmaus companions work a regular 40-hour week. After three months a companion will get a long weekend off work and receive a week’s holiday after six months. Once a companion has been with the community for over six months they will receive a twenty day holiday alongside regular Public holidays.

Some companions choose to make Emmaus home for a few days and some stay for years. There is no limit and that’s what makes the model so different from other ‘homeless’ accommodation. Besides the training given in the shops and cafe, education and relevant training opportunities are also provided.

It is important that companions stay up to date and build skills to ensure the best chances of finding long-term ways to overcome homelessness  and to manage their own lives by accessing health services and welfare benefits online, managing money and finding work. The computers provide focused, distraction-free tools for companions to achieve this.

Pictured is Emmaus’ companion Steve who was making use of one of the laptops funded through an Enjoolata Community grant.

“I began my volunteering journey with “Time to Talk Befriending” back in July 2020. I joined as I wanted to connect with the local community during a time where I recognised through my job the immense amount of social isolation members of our local community had during the beginnings of the pandemic. Creating connections with others is a part of our human essence and this is where I found TTTB.

After talking with TTTB to understand my interests and who I am (very much like a dating app!) I was matched to the wonderful Ivy. The time taken by TTTB to assess our chemistry allowed Ivy and I to hit it off so quickly. Initially our telephone conversations were only 15 mins but now nearly after 2 years they have blossomed to wonderful marathons much to Ivy’s surprise! We speak about anything and everything, nothing ever feels forced and if one of us isn’t up for the call that day we don’t do it. After every call, not only do I feel connected, but I also feel a sense of belonging and pride. Although our chats are only once a week, I know the positive impact it has not only on Ivy’s mental health but mine too. By building this relationship with my ‘befriendee’ I have been able to make a powerful connection with my community, that small difference to brighten someone’s day. Joining the TTTB volunteers has also changed my mindset in my everyday life by stepping into someone else’s shoes and what small changes I can make to their day to make it easier for them.

Two years on and I’m still excited to have my call every week, ready to hear the next story from Ivy. I encourage anyone reading this today that if this is something that you’re interested in absolutely go for it, it’s definitely up there with one of the best things I have ever done!”

During our recent visit to Jamie’s Farm, Lewes we met Arthur. After visiting a couple of times with his school, Arthur was selected to become the Lewes farms second apprentice. We interviewed Arthur to find out more about his involvement on the farm and the impact that it’s had on him. 

When did you first come to Jamie’s Farm and why? 

I first came to Jamie’s Farm when I was about 10. I wasn’t enjoying school and it was a struggle at times. I also thought it would be good to get away from home for a bit: I had never stayed away from home before

Where do you live? 

I live in London

Why did you become an Ambassador? 

I became an Ambassador because I loved doing the residential trips to the farms and I loved learning more and more about what happens and how it all happens. 

What does being an Apprentice involve and what’s your favourite thing about it? 

Being an Apprentice involves spending a week with the young people who visit and joining in their sessions and encouraging them to get involved and stuck into something they may have never tried before and making sure they have a great week.  

Why did you apply? 

I applied because I loved spending time on the farm and helping young people and I love learning new things about the animals and being able to share my experience with the young people.

What would you like to do for a job when you are older? 

When I am older I would either like to work with animals or with young people in an outside setting.

Has Jamie’s farm helped you develop any new skills and interests? 

Jamie’s farm has really helped me in my confidence and really gave me the chance to see what I could do.

What’s your favourite thing to do when you are at the farm? 

My favourite thing to do at the farm would have to be getting to learn about all the animals.

Read more about our involvement with Jamie’s Farm, Lewes here https://enjoolata.org/farming-family-therapy-at-jamies-farm/