ABOUT
Transitional support for
people moving on from prison, homelessness and addiction.
A place to attend regularly where you can build relationships, get involved in meaningful projects and begin to see a different future for yourself.
Learn new practical skills, get ready to look for work or start your own business.
Making It Out is...
a local charity based in Brighton and Hove. MiO has been set up to enable people, who are at risk of committing crime without support, to begin to change their current situation through regular engagement in creative making activities.
Our organisation sits between being a productive design and manufacture business and a support service for those in need of a more constructive use of their time. Through involving our participants in the process of designing and making a variety of artistic and innovative products we equip them with the skills, motivation and confidence they need to build and maintain more positive and stable futures for themselves.
As an organisation we are aware that the problems that people leaving prison face are multifaceted, unique, and difficult to overcome. For this reason, we see engaging with us as a starting point and offer the support, mentoring and signposting that individuals need to change their circumstances and begin to take control of their own lives.
Art, Design & Craft
We are committed to the the principle that creative, practical activity has a positive effect on an individual’s confidence, self esteem and capacity to change. Day to day interaction with others in this setting can provide motivation and momentum to leave negative behaviours behind and start to move forward.
We also exist to bring together the local arts, craft and design communities and create mutually beneficial opportunities for training, collaboration and employment opportunities.
Working both within the prison system and with those who have recently been released we intend to offer training and skill development, work experience, employment opportunities and support in moving forward towards long term employment.
"Making it Out helps me to manage stress and periods of depression"
MIO Participant, Dec 2019
Who we work with
We work with people in need of structure and support to get them moving in the right direction. Including all of the following:
- Prison leavers and people on probation
- Prisoners still serving sentences on ROTL placements
- People in recovery from addiction or breakdown.
- Long term unemployed
- The local homeless population
- Other people in need of regular occupational support.
Referring to MiO
We take referrals from prisons, probation and other local voluntary organisations including supported housing and addiction services.
Participants have a number of options available to them dependent on their current situation and what they hope to achieve with us. Our intention with all of our participants is that they move on to find further positive use of their time and continue to engage with us in other positive ways.
Getting involved
We work to provide opportunties for individuals to get involved in exciting art and design projects that range from intricate artworks to large scale shopfitting installations or public artworks. At MiO we will help you transition from one stage of life to another and provide the support you need to move forward.
If you have a probation officer or Keyworker please let them know you'd like to work with MiO. If you don't please use the contact form below
PARTNERS FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS
We have made great strides due to support and cooperation of a growing network of like-minded organisations and some generous benefactors. The enthusiasm for what we're doing is really encouraging and we have appreciate support from across the UK and as far away as Canada.
If your organisation is interested in working with us in any way please don't hesitate to get in touch.
MEET THE TEAM
Staff
Mark Whaley
Founder | CEO
Mark established MiO after teaching art and design in HMP Ford and HMP Lewes. Frustrated by seeing the same faces returning to prison he strived to create an organisation that offered a more collaborative type of support based within an enjoyable & creative work environment.
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Ricky Delaney
Art, Design and Fabrication facilitator
Ricky joined MiO in summer 2020 in the middle of a pandemic and quickly welded himself to the fabric of the organisation. With an enviable career that spans from didgeridoos to master blacksmithing he has a story to suit all occasions and heart of gold (and iron filings).
Jason Mason
Making facilitator & mentor
Jay also started with MiO as a participant and brings a wealth of experience of carpentry, heritage renovation and the wider building trades. Jay understands MiO inherently through his own journey through recovery and out of the other side.
Lucy Grubb
Founder | Fundraising Manager
Lucy has a wealth of experience from her time in social work and a wide variety of educational settings. She brings a sense of calm and composure to an often slightly manic workshop. Never too busy to listen to everyone's problems and more than likely find a solution to them as well!
Sean Donoher
Artistic Development Co-ordinator
Sean started with MiO as a participant just after we opened the doors and has been instrumental in the growth and success of the charity to date. He has an extensive portfolio of work completed in prison and has taken the lead on several recent art commissions...All whilst maintaining enthusiasm and reassurance within the Art Room.
Trustees
Stephen Murray
Chair of Trustees
Stephen brings a level of financial acumen to MiO. He has previously worked within auditing across a number of different organisations that include local government, international aid and is currently with The University of Brighton. In a voluntary capacity Stephen has also worked with the East Sussex Credit Union and the Institute for Youth Work.
Stephen Fradley
Trustee
Steve has recently joined MiO after working with us during his time as the governor of HMP Ford. He has an adventurous career that includes time in the armed forces and a number of roles across the prison estate. Steve has a progressive attitude towards rehabilitation and helping those leaving prison make the most of the opportunities available to them.
Helen Schofield
Trustee
Helen brings experience from a wide variety of roles within the criminal justice sector. Initially training as a probation officer Helen went on to work for NAPO before helping to establish the Community Justice National Training Organisation. After this Helen also work for the police service managing training development and is currently the chair of the Probation Institute.
Kate Poulton
Trustee
Kate is also new to the MiO team and comes to the role with an enthusiasm to help MiO grow. Kate works within IT system management for a number of large organisations and from these roles brings to MiO experience of contract management and delivery.