A heart-warming celebration of women in recovery, told by women in recovery.
As part of the service user involvement strategy in place at HMP New Hall, residents enrolled on the Drug Recovery Wing (DRW) programme were invited to share their ideas on how they would like to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025. Each with their own stories and journeys, the women decided they’d like to host a talent show for the wing to showcase their hidden talents, whilst also celebrating women no matter what their journey looks like.
This manifested into four brave women standing in front of their peers, reading beautiful poems they wrote inspired by their recovery, and singing songs that were personal to them and their journey. The women who showcased their talents then provided feedback on what International Women’s Day, being women, and being able to take part in this activity has meant for them.
Read their poems and feedback on the celebration below.
Christmas Day in jail,
Sat ‘ere looking pretty pale.
Putting on a brave face,
trying to keep up with the pace.
Night before not sleeping,
wish I was dreaming of over eating.
Of a big dinner and loads of yule log,
instead we had something you’d find in the bog.
Sat here counting down the hours as they go by,
holding back the tears I want to cry.
Hopes that next year will be better,
miss my family I think I’ll write them a letter.
-
For International Women’s Day, I read my Christmas Day poem. It meant a lot to me as it was my first Christmas in jail away from family. To share this with DRW was emotional and empowering. I’ve found confidence in me that I didn’t have when I first came to jail. My recovery has played a massive part in this, finding myself and feeling strong. This wing has brought me out of my shell!
Been on drugs with no creations tools to build my foundation, a lot of sad frustration.
Little did I know coming to prison, with DRW is a real life medication,
before coming on here were some hesitation to my invitation.
but given the situation, I thought about it now, I’m a patient.
this drug and alcohol makes us all a relation,
up to us to use the right indications,
all dealing with devils on different levels,
but come back to the same situation.
Stick to the programme, you get nothing without dedication.
Been an addict, like living with a life long infection,
and for me ain’t no real answer at the bottom of a brown injection,
and I’ve learnt that life’s a roundabout,
it only stops when you stop it, and in life there’s so much more about, than drugs and alcohol if you don’t doubt, find the tools to build your creation on your foundation.
-
“We had a talent competition for International Women’s Day. We stood up in front of the whole group. I thought it was really good as it built up my confidence. The way everyone reacted to my singing made me feel good, and made me feel I could do something that reaches out to other people. I never really realised I was capable of something like that. I also thought it was good that all of us on here could support each other, and big each other up.”
Life as an addict, nothing but hell.
body deteriorating, tired and ill,
but bit by bit I continue to derail,
with my life as a prostitute I’d of done anything for a sale,
the judge took one look and wouldn’t grant me bail,
guess I’ve hit rock bottom because I’m on my way to jail.
Since my arrival, things are looking up.
I’m not open and honest who’d of thought I’d ever give a f***.
Life as an addict ain’t so bad after all, as long as committed to your life and want more,
who knows I might even get to the point where I’m compliant with ‘da law.
-
Today we all came together as a women’s community to do DRW’s Got Talent, a fun way to start International Women’s Day and build a little confidence within. There was 3 poems read out, with strong emotions and feelings involved. We then had a singer who moved the room, and belted out the song Lost Without You. International Women’s Day means to me that we big other women up, build one another’s confidence and remind each other that every woman matters no matter the circumstances.