17 Nov 2025
For the last seven weeks I have been supporting the Lived Experience workshops taking place in HMP Wandsworth as part of the Suicide and Self Harm (SASH) Prevention Film Project. SASH is a collaboration between IJP and the Samaritans to create a series of films that will contribute to a greater understanding of self-inflicted deaths and self-harm incidents at Wandsworth.
The Lived Experience film is a co-production with the men taking part and will focus on
their personal experiences of what it’s like to live in a prison. They each bring their own unique knowledge, wisdom and creativity to the sessions, as they develop their understanding and skills in factual filmmaking, storytelling and model making.
Throughout my career I have constantly asked myself ‘how can I contribute to a world that empowers everyone to be who they are meant to be?’ This has led me down some interesting, challenging, and ultimately soul affirming paths. I can testify to the impact that creativity can have on a person. I believe that creativity unlocks something vital in the soul. This awakening can often lead us back to places within us that we had forgotten or take us to new areas of awareness.
I reconnected with art during some of my most difficult times and this led me to seek out further creative opportunities that involved my passion for social justice. I ended up joining the female theatre company Clean Break, where I rediscovered my love of storytelling, performance and writing. This led me to apply for this role
with Inside Job Productions on a project that I feel very grateful to be part of. I am working alongside innovative and passionate professionals who are exceptional at what they do.
The Lived Experience group in Wandsworth are spending time in the creative sphere of factual filmmaking, visual storytelling, creative writing and model making. They have covered a lot of ground and the impressive output is testimony to what is being put in. The men worked together to draw up a set of agreements detailing how they wanted to work together over the time of the project and every session we all check in to see where
we are all at. There is a generosity in the willingness to share their talents and experiences so consent is a responsibility taken seriously.
My highlight so far was our first location shoot out on a wing. A creative idea from some of the men was planned and delivered with the support of the officers. We worked as a crew with our specific roles: Director, Producer, Sound and Camera operatives. Everyone worked together in demonstrating their skills to curate footage that portrayed life in a prison. We then spent the afternoon watching and reviewing the footage that had
been taken.
The next few weeks will see the group continue to delve deeper into their creativity through model making, storytelling and production. A personal journey with their own experiences, supported by each other until they are interwoven for the final films. Creativity, collaboration, connection and consent.
If you would like to know more about the project please contact Jas Pitt (Director/Producer of SASH Prevention Film Unit, Inside Job Productions)
jas@insidejobproductions.co.uk
Production Assistant,SASH Prevention Film Unit
