positive touch

Providing a holistic health and wellbeing service to people in prison settings to foster positive behavioural changes and improve self-regulation.

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The Positive Touch pilot programme focuses on assisting people in prison settings with developing changed behaviours and improving self-regulation which aim to support their reintegration into society upon release. Introducing “positive touch” through reflexology, a complementary therapy, to people in prison settings in a space where they are restricted within a regimented system and removed from such experiences could provide a much-needed opportunity to focus on their holistic health and wellbeing, encouraging self-reflection and changed behaviours.

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People in prison settings are one of the most deprived groups in society. Living through deprivation often starts early, growing up in areas of high deprivation and little opportunity or support to climb out of disadvantage and poverty. For many of the participants in our pilot programme with HMP Feltham, sharing reflections of their backgrounds and the challenges they faced growing up which influenced risk-taking behaviours including criminal activity which resulted in incarceration. Understanding the implications of poor outcomes across the determinants of health and their relationship with people iving in areas of high deprivation underlines the necessity of investing in public health to build healthier individuals and healthier communities.

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Over 12 weeks, Naz’s certified reflexologist Helen Cox delivered four 45-minute reflexology sessions to 15 men aged 18-26. Feedback from participants was exceptionally positive and enthusiam for the reflexology sessions cannot be understated. ​​​