Meet Cathy Kane
Our interim CEO talks about her first 100 Days at SIG
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Since its inception in 1995, Safe Ground has been at the forefront of designing and delivering innovative arts-based, therapeutically informed interventions within the criminal justice system and in communities across the UK. As we approach our 30th anniversary in 2025, we remain dedicated to challenging systemic injustice through the programmes we run and the partnerships we build.
Through theatre, arts, and culture, we design initiatives to support those impacted by the criminal justice system in gaining deeper insights into themselves, their relationships and their behaviours. By equipping them with practical tools and building a community who are open to doing things differently, we pave the way for them to navigate life’s journey with confidence. Our interventions and services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team of dedicated service managers, creative facilitators, artists, counsellors, and family support workers helping people to reimagine relationships and explore new possibilities.
We deliver long-term family services at HMP Altcourse, including dedicated Reducing Reoffending interventions, and work nationally with HMP Parc, HMP Bronzefield, HMP Peterborough, Advance, Penrose, and many more. We embrace the complexities of working in dynamic environments, balancing the need for flexibility with a commitment to relationships and positive change, one person, one family, and one prison community at a time.
Our Vision – A society where creativity and connection are the driving forces of rehabilitation, empowering communities affected by the criminal justice system to recover, rebuild and shape a culture of positive change.
Our Mission – We create spaces within the criminal justice system for growth, reflection, and community-building through the arts and therapeutic practices. We are champions of innovative approaches in prison systems that not only reduce recidivism but also support sustainable, long-term change, guided by those with first-hand experience of the system.
Creativity is an inherent human tool for making sense of experiences, imagining new possibilities, and communicating needs effectively. By integrating bold, ambitious artistic practices, we acknowledge art’s power as a transformative force for social change.
Change begins in spaces free from shame and punishment, where individuals can make mistakes and explore their identities. We value diverse perspectives and experiences.
Positive relationships with ourselves, our families, and our communities are crucial to our work. Collaboration between artists and therapeutic specialists ensures we meet people in their current context without imposing external expectations or judgment.
A sense of belonging and community is vital for navigating the transitional spaces between who we are and who we are becoming. Connections with others, including partner organisations, provide the support needed as individuals move forward positively, aiding in recovery from punitive systems and criminal behaviour.
We continually examine our practices and impact through collaboration with prisons, artists, and external evaluators. Using arts-based methodologies, we explore complex issues with creativity, uncovering insights often missed by traditional methods. This allows us to challenge any bias and get comfortable in the uncomfortable.
SIG Safe Ground are experts in designing training, bespoke interventions and building co-production models. We’re continuously developing national partnerships and collaborations, designing and delivering bespoke work that platforms the voices of those we serve. Current collaborations include working with HMP Forest Bank, HMP Berwyn & HMP Bronzefield and driving change in community settings with Advance, Damien John Kelly House & Penrose Drive.
They recognise collaboration is essential in creating the long-lasting change we’d like to see in the Criminal Justice, so we need you! If you’d like to collaborate or require training for your staff team, get in touch.
Emma Hulme
Head of Safe Ground
James Timpson, UK Minister of State for Prisons, Parole and Probation
Mary Piper, retired Consultant Geriatrician and Public Health Physician for People in Prison in England and Wales.
Our SIG Safe Ground Family Service at HMP Altcourse is transforming the way families and men in custody experience connection and support, facilitating over 40,000 family visits annually.
This pioneering initiative uniquely combines creative interventions for men in prison, tailored family counselling, and practical support for families visiting their loved ones in our Visitors Centre.
With the guidance of a dedicated Family Service Manager and a multidisciplinary team, we are redefining the concept of family support within the criminal justice system. By fostering collaboration between internal and external staff teams, we are driving a cultural shift at HMP Altcourse with the ambition to influence broader reform within the prison system.
At the heart of the Family Service’s mission lies the belief that strong, nurturing relationships are crucial for successful rehabilitation. Through innovative, arts-based group programmes, men in custody develop essential life skills such as empathy, communication, and emotional intelligence, building meaningful connections with their families. Enhanced Family Day visits, family counselling, and tailored support enrich this effort, creating a holistic framework for self-reflection and growth. This innovative approach not only supports individuals but also strengthens family bonds, laying a strong foundation for reintegration and positive transformation. The SIG Safe Ground Family Service, with its impactful and scalable model, sets a new benchmark for family engagement within the prison system.
Our national portfolio consists of programmes that have been thoughtfully developed through the partnerships we’ve established and the remarkable individuals we’ve encountered on our journey. Our flagship programmes, Man Up and Fathers Inside, have received national recognition and have been delivered across various custodial and community settings.
Our commitment to evolution and growth is further demonstrated through our exciting pilot programmes currently in development across multiple sites in the UK. We foster and develop positive relationships that influence every aspect of our operations; from the way our teams work to partnerships and programme delivery.
Collaborating closely with HMPPS, private prisons, community groups, The Probation Service and other civil society organisations allows us to design programmes that genuinely address the needs of the individuals we serve. Operating in complex and dynamic environments requires a balance of flexibility to adapt to what’s around us, and a commitment to our core values, ensuring consistency throughout our organisation.
The Man Up? programme explores masculinity and its impact on personal development and relationships. Made for young adults and men in both custodial and community settings, this programme encourages....
The Fathers Inside programme offers 72 hours of support to men in prison over a four-week period. Each week consists of 18 hours of purposeful activity following Safe Ground’s innovative methodology and approach. The comprehensive...
Celebrating a Decade of Collaboration and Innovation
