Inside Stories is a three-year Applied Storytelling programme delivered by Verbal at Magilligan, Maghaberry and Hydebank Wood College and Women’s Prison, with support from the Public Health Agency.
During weekly sessions, trained Verbal facilitators read short stories aloud and pause at carefully chosen points for discussion. Participants can explore the characters’ experiences before connecting the themes to emotions, relationships, coping and personal growth.
Because the stories are read aloud, the programme can support people with different levels of reading confidence. The small-group format also helps facilitators adapt each session to the needs and experiences of the people taking part.
The Year One journey
Four themes opened different conversations.
01
Enjoyment
Building comfort, trust and renewed interest in stories and reading.
02
Emotional wellbeing
Recognising emotions, understanding triggers and considering ways to manage stress.
03
Resilience
Exploring control, perseverance, hope and recovery through fictional experiences.
04
Relationships
Reflecting on connection, loneliness, communication, trust and belonging.
What the sessions showed
From tentative participation to deeper reflection.
Facilitator observations and participant reflections described a consistent progression during Year One. People who initially viewed themselves as “not really a reader” began looking forward to sessions, engaging more actively and encouraging others to attend.
As trust developed, discussions moved beyond reactions to the plot. Participants increasingly considered emotional triggers, coping strategies, responsibility, judgement, hope and the ways relationships can be damaged or rebuilt.
Across the three settings, small groups were reported to support openness, peer connection and meaningful conversation. Some participants also began contributing poetry or other creative writing, showing growing confidence and investment in the programme.
Early wellbeing trends
Encouraging movement during Block Two.
Pre- and post-programme surveys were completed for the Emotional Wellbeing block at Magilligan. The results showed positive movement across wellbeing, psychological distress and perceived stress.
75%
reported high overall wellbeing, compared with 55% at the beginning
65%
reported mild or no psychological distress, compared with 55% initially
35%
reported moderate to severe distress, down from 45%
80%
reported moderate or low levels of perceived stress after the block
Building on Year One
The learning is shaping what comes next.
Year Two will build on the strong response to poetry and introduce more opportunities for participants to shape scenarios and stories. Delivery will also move towards shorter, more focused blocks, allowing the programme to respond more flexibly to the realities of prison settings.
Evaluation will continue as the programme develops, expanding the evidence available while keeping participants’ experiences, accessibility and meaningful engagement at the centre of the work.
Programme partnership
Inside Stories is funded by the Public Health Agency and delivered by Verbal across Northern Ireland Prison Service settings.