'The Hive' causing a buzz at HMP Edinburgh

HMP Edinburgh have officially opened ‘The Hive’ – a new community and wellbeing space.

It became clear that the establishment had a growing need to provide a space for events, activities and courses for all. 

The space identified was operating as a traditional work party called the ‘tool shed’. Within this party, individuals in our care repair and repurpose a range of gardening tools. It was decided to move this so that it sat beside the other industrial style work parties. And so the transformation began.

The brief was to create a welcoming, relaxed community space, with a flexible layout to allow for a diverse range of activities to take place, all focussing on improving wellbeing and behavioural habits.

The paintwork, entirely the work of those in our care, gives an ‘outside-in’ feel along with suspended ceiling shapes and a modular room layout. Items and furniture have been re-purposed and donations gratefully received to create this fantastic new facility.

A full programme of classes is being developed with a range of partner organisations getting involved. So far this includes: weekly art therapy, breathing yoga, Therapets, Occupational Health sessions, an over 50s group and the Prison Fellowship Scotland’s Sycamore Tree course. The Hive will also host a range of events including author visits, art exhibitions and music performances.