The Innovation Challenge was an initiative launched in 2025. The Trustee Board agreed to invest in ideas that Catch22 colleagues had for their services, programmes or areas of work to ‘do things differently’ and drive change. The theatre project was awarded some budget following its project submission.
The Bench Theatre Project was a ten-week creative intervention designed to empower individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system. Through immersive learning and theatre workshops, culminating in a live public performance, participants embarked on a journey of self expression, emotional growth, and community engagement.
This evaluation report provides an overview of the design and approach, the final performance and feedback from both participants and audience members.
The Bench Theatre Project stands as a testament to the transformative power of creative interventions within justice and community settings. The project’s impact extended beyond the stage. It demonstrated how creative practice can support rehabilitation by fostering self-awareness, communication skills, and a sense of worth.
When participants were asked to reflect, one answered: “I can walk into a group and build confidence, making me feel stronger in positions of vulnerability.”