Innovative prison projects boost wellbeing and rehabilitation
One of the lesser-known services provided by NHFT is that of prison healthcare. While the day-to-day running of prisons is carried out by the Ministry of Justice, healthcare in prisons is usually managed by external providers and NHFT currently provides healthcare across 14 prisons and other secured sites in England.
Here are just three examples of how our healthcare teams have been responsive to service users' needs through innovative projects taking place across our prison sites.
Maverick Sounds: supporting better life choices through music
NHFT became the healthcare provider at HMP Lowdham Grange in Nottinghamshire in July 2025, during a challenging period for staff and residents.
Rachel Palethorpe, Assistant Director of Secured Services at NHFT, sought new ways to support men in custody and connected with Sam McPherson, founder of Maverick Sounds, having heard about his work on LinkedIn.
With over a decade of experience as a recording artist and working in prisons and youth services, Sam has created a music-based programme to help people make better life choices. Maverick Sounds partnered with NHFT to deliver two-week courses where men write and perform raps, sharing their experiences. The approach has boosted wellbeing, with Sam noting a positive cultural shift in the prison since NHFT's involvement.
"I found that Maverick Sounds was helpful in helping me express my emotions, which I've always struggled to do." Prisoner feedback, HMP Lowdham Grange
Andy's Man Club encourages open conversations about mental health
HMP Bedford is a small remand prison with a frequently changing population, including many entering custody for the first time. This often leads to anxiety, low mood and uncertainty, especially without access to the usual family support.
The healthcare team noticed rising numbers of referrals for these low-level mental health problems from new prisoners and explored alternative support. NHFT Secured Services Director Anthony Blades connected with Luke Ambler, founder of Andy's Man Club, whose team offers informal one-to-one and group sessions, visiting wings, playing cards and encouraging men to talk openly.
Their presence provides reassurance without medicalising normal worries, while still linking in with the Mental Health team when needed. Their work has significantly reduced the number of low-level mental health referrals at the prison, allowing clinicians to focus on residents with more urgent needs.
Tackling substance misuse through dedicated recovery support
Healthcare at HMP Peterborough has been provided by NHFT since 2021, bringing a committed team of Recovery Workers who wanted to reshape substance misuse support. Working with Consultant Psychologist Sunil Lad, they developed the first "trauma-informed" substance misuse service in a prison setting in England.
Recovery Workers help patients explore their experiences, the traumatic events behind their substance use, and their goals for the future. The programmes include eight-week groups for women and five-week groups for men, alongside one-to-one sessions and workbooks prisoners can complete in their own time.
With 84% of men at HMP Peterborough on remand and often released quickly, the team work closely with community drug services nationwide to ensure care and support can continue outside prison. Some who find themselves returning to prison have achieved goals such as reconnecting with family or securing work, using any setbacks they encounter as opportunities to refocus.
"The team have made it so much easier to get over my life-long addiction."
"Thank you for helping me find myself."
"They explain everything so well and help us change our perspectives."
Selected prisoner feedback, HMP Peterborough