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.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Probation Perspectives02:01 Jennifer Walmsley's Journey into Applied Theatre06:41 Understanding Applied Theatre in Probation Settings11:31 The Role of Creativity in Desistance14:39 Transformative Moments in Creative Activities20:16 Supporting Probation Practitioners through Creativity26:07 Reflection, Self-Care, and Vicarious Trauma in Practice36:06 Cultural Shifts for Better RehabilitationShow 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 producerJill Dealey – Podcast development and content supportLauren Meredith – Logo and jingle developmentJenn Grant & Michelle McDermott – Management and supportAll of our guests for sharing their expertise and experiencesHere 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