At Unlock Drama, creating safe, supportive and empowering environments for participants has always been central to our work. Recently, our team and facilitators had the privilege of undertaking Trauma-Informed Practice training with Heather Whitehead MSc, an experienced consultant, trainer and former prison governor with extensive experience across criminal justice and secure settings.
The training felt like a full circle moment for Unlock Drama. Over 10 years ago, Heather first witnessed our work firsthand while working as Governor at HMYOI Brinsford. She saw the impact applied theatre could have in helping young people build confidence, find their voice and begin to create more positive futures for themselves. Years later, it was incredibly valuable to reconnect and reflect together on the importance of trauma-informed approaches within rehabilitation, education and creative practice.
What Is Trauma-Informed Practice?
Trauma-informed practice is an approach that recognises the impact trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have on emotional wellbeing, behaviour, communication and development. Many individuals within criminal justice and secure settings have experienced significant trauma throughout their lives, including abuse, neglect, loss, violence, exclusion and instability.
Trauma-informed practice encourages organisations and practitioners to think carefully about how environments, communication styles and interventions can either support or unintentionally retraumatise individuals.
Rather than asking:
“What is wrong with this person?”
Trauma-informed approaches instead encourage us to ask:
“What may have happened to this person?”
This shift in thinking is incredibly important within prisons, secure children’s homes, youth justice settings and rehabilitation services where many individuals may have experienced complex trauma throughout their lives.
During the training, Heather explored a range of important themes including:
- Trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
- The impact of trauma on the brain and development
- Protective factors that support resilience and recovery
- Practical trauma-informed approaches within secure settings and organisations
- The importance of safety, collaboration, trust and empowerment
The session encouraged reflection not only on organisational policies, but also on how trauma-informed principles should flow through everyday practice, interactions and delivery.
Trauma-Informed Practice at Unlock Drama
At Unlock Drama, many trauma-informed approaches have already been embedded naturally within our delivery model through the use of participant-led and child-centred applied theatre practice.
Our work has always focused on creating spaces where participants feel:
- heard
- respected
- emotionally safe
- included
- empowered
- able to express themselves without judgement
Through applied theatre and creative workshops, participants are encouraged to explore ideas, emotions and experiences within a structured and supportive environment. Collaboration, choice and participant voice are central to our sessions, allowing individuals to contribute creatively in ways that feel safe and manageable for them.
Across our rehabilitation and educational programmes, we consistently embed:
- participant-led approaches
- co-creation and collaboration
- active listening
- emotional safety
- restorative approaches
- relationship building
- strengths-based practice
- neurodivergent inclusion
- clear boundaries and consistency
- encouragement without pressure
This is particularly important when working with children, young people and adults who may struggle with trust, confidence, emotional regulation or communication as a result of previous trauma or adverse experiences.
Applied theatre can provide a powerful platform for self-expression, confidence building and connection with others. It creates opportunities for participants to safely explore identity, emotions, decision-making and relationships in ways that traditional environments may not always allow.
Why Trauma-Informed Practice Matters in Criminal Justice Settings
Trauma-informed practice is especially important within criminal justice and secure settings. Many individuals within prisons and youth justice environments have experienced disrupted education, exclusion, mental health challenges, adverse childhood experiences and unmet support needs.
Traditional systems and approaches do not always recognise the underlying causes behind behaviour, disengagement or emotional responses. Trauma-informed rehabilitation instead focuses on understanding, consistency, safety and relationship building.
At Unlock Drama, we see every day how creative interventions and applied theatre can support:
- communication skills
- confidence and self-esteem
- emotional literacy
- social connection
- engagement in education
- emotional wellbeing
- self-expression
- rehabilitation and personal development
Through carefully facilitated workshops, participants are given opportunities to build trust, work collaboratively and develop transferable life skills within psychologically safe environments.
Reflecting on the Training
The training with Heather Whitehead provided an invaluable opportunity for reflection, learning and continued professional development for the Unlock Drama team and facilitators.
It reinforced the importance of continuously evolving our practice and ensuring that trauma-informed approaches remain embedded throughout all areas of delivery. The session also highlighted how small changes in language, facilitation and environment can have a significant impact on how safe and supported participants feel.
One of the most powerful aspects of the training was recognising that trauma-informed practice is not simply a policy or checklist. It is an ongoing commitment to creating environments built on empathy, collaboration, trust and understanding.
As an organisation delivering rehabilitation and educational theatre programmes within prisons, youth justice and secure settings, this work will continue to remain central to our practice moving forward.
Looking Ahead
Unlock Drama remains committed to continually developing and strengthening our trauma-informed approaches across all programmes and partnerships.
We are incredibly grateful to Heather Whitehead MSc for sharing her expertise, knowledge and experience with our team. The training provided meaningful opportunities for reflection and strengthened our ongoing commitment to creating safe, inclusive and empowering creative spaces for all participants.
As we continue to grow, trauma-informed practice will remain at the heart of our work across rehabilitation, prison education, health and justice and youth justice settings.