Creative Rehabilitation and Partnership Working with Jennifer Walmsley from BearFace Theatre

In this episode, we are joined by Jennifer Walmsley, Co‑Director of BearFace Theatre, a Hampshire‑based organisation working exclusively in the local area through applied theatre. BearFace’s work supports people on probation, women in the justice system, and criminal justice practitioners within Hampshire. Jennifer discusses how creative and participatory theatre approaches can open up new ways of understanding identity, agency, and change. The conversation explores how creativity can support desistance, build confidence and resilience, and create space for reflection, not only for people on probation, but also for the practitioners who work alongside them. This inspiring episode shines a light on the human side of rehabilitation and the value of locally rooted, creative practice. It invites PQiPs, probation practitioners, and local justice professionals to consider how creativity can support meaningful change and help people imagine more positive futures. Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice is a podcast exploring the world of probation, rehabilitation, and community justice. Hosted by Megan Thomas and Ceri Halfpenny from the University of Portsmouth, this series delves into key issues affecting probation practice, featuring expert insights, research, and real-world experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Probation Perspectives 02:01 Jennifer Walmsley's Journey into Applied Theatre 06:41 Understanding Applied Theatre in Probation Settings 11:31 The Role of Creativity in Desistance 14:39 Transformative Moments in Creative Activities 20:16 Supporting Probation Practitioners through Creativity 26:07 Reflection, Self-Care, and Vicarious Trauma in Practice 36:06 Cultural Shifts for Better Rehabilitation Show notes and readings: We’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made Probation Perspectives: Insights into Community Justice possible. Freddie Hunt – Podcast producer Jill Dealey – Podcast development and content support Lauren Meredith – Logo and jingle development Jenn Grant & Michelle McDermott – Management and support All of our guests for sharing their expertise and experiences Here are the details of the resources and readings that were referred to within the episode: Bearface theatre website - https://www.bearfacetheatre.org/ Brene Brown - details about her books and podcasts on this website https://brenebrown.com/ Maté, G. (2022). The myth of normal: Trauma, illness and healing in a toxic culture. Knopf Canada. Walmsley, J., & Haggar, L. (2025). Creating space for reflection and connection: learning from the creative arts and the third sector. In Reflections on Probation (pp. 134-154). Policy Press. Waite, S., & Rutter, N. (Eds.). (2026). Women, Relationships & Criminal Justice: The Personal and Professional. Policy Press. National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance website: https://artsincriminaljustice.org.uk/ Geece Theatre Handbook, details available here: https://www.geese.co.uk/the-geese-handbook/ Kasia Urbaniak (2021) Unbound: A Woman’s Guide to Power. Penguin Thompson, J. (2012) Applied Theatre, Bewilderment and Beyond. Peter Lang