Unlock Drama Rehabilitation Model™
Our Approach
At Unlock Drama, all of our work is delivered through a structured, participant-led approach that supports meaningful engagement, personal development and long term impact.
We create safe, inclusive spaces where individuals can explore real-life experiences through theatre, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to support positive change. Our approach is designed to be both engaging and purposeful, enabling participants to reflect, connect and contribute in a way that feels accessible and relevant to them.
Unlock Drama Rehabilitation Model™
The Unlock Drama Rehabilitation Model™ is a structured, intensive 4 to 4.5 day programme that uses theatre and creative practice to support personal development, rehabilitation and positive behavioural change within custodial settings and community-based criminal justice environments.
At the core of the model is a participant-led, carefully facilitated process where individuals are encouraged to explore real-life themes, share perspectives, and contribute to the creation of original performance work. This creates a sense of ownership, responsibility and engagement throughout the programme.
Through our projects, participants explore issue-based themes such as substance misuse, violence reduction and mental health awareness. Within these themes, facilitators guide participants to examine triggers, consequences, victim awareness and consequential thinking, supporting the development of pro-social skills and greater self-awareness.
The model provides a safe, engaging environment where participants can build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and reflect on their behaviours, choices and future pathways.
Designed to be flexible and responsive, the model adapts to the needs of each group while maintaining a consistent structure that supports:
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Communication and teamwork
- Emotional awareness and self-reflection
- Engagement in purposeful activity
By combining creative expression with structured delivery, the Unlock Drama Rehabilitation Model™ supports the development of transferable skills, strengthens pro-social behaviours, and encourages progression both within custody and in the community. The process culminates in the sharing of original performance work, providing a powerful opportunity for reflection, ownership and communication of key messages.
Model Development & Expertise
The Unlock Drama Rehabilitation Model™ has been developed through over a decade of frontline experience in applied theatre and the criminal justice system.
The model was created by Unlock Drama’s Founder and CEO, Rebecca Boden, who has worked in applied theatre since 2008 and within the criminal justice system since 2011. Her experience includes contributing to prison officer training and working full-time within a custodial environment, giving her a deep understanding of both participant need and the realities of the system.
This experience, combined with years of direct delivery across custodial and community-based criminal justice settings, has informed the development of a model that is practical, responsive and grounded in real-world application. The approach has been refined over time through consistent delivery, feedback and observation, ensuring it remains relevant, effective and engaging for the individuals it supports.
The result is a structured, participant-led model that reflects both professional expertise and lived understanding of the challenges faced by individuals within the criminal justice system.
To learn more about the team behind Unlock Drama, visit our Staff Page or connect with Rebecca Boden on LinkedIn.
The Unlock Drama Rehabilitation Model™ is developed and delivered exclusively by Unlock Drama CIC.