Alex Wharton inspires fathers in HMP Parc
Over three days, Alex worked with fathers to produce a series of poems expressing their love for their children, the small things they miss about them and their hopes for their children’s future. Several of the fathers also wrote children’s narrative-poems, reminiscent of a Julia Donaldson story and Alex’s own work in Daydreams and Jellybeans. Alex guided and encouraged the fathers to write letter-poems from the perspective of mischievous characters, from characters in Daydreams and Jellybeans to letters from family pets, addressed to their children. This offered a sense of playfulness – an opportunity for their children and family to see them in a different light. The delivery of these letter-poems was just as important as the process of writing them.
“The fathers recognised this session as beneficial for reading to their children at bedtime. They learnt how to make the language more entertaining for everyone; a major factor in encouraging children to read for pleasure.” – Alex Wharton
On the final day, the men’s children were invited to attend a celebratory event at the Family Unit. With Alex’s encouragement, the men took to the stage to read their poems directly to their families. This included a father from Kurdistan, who read his poems in both Kurdish and in English.
The event was a joyous experience for all involved and a reminder of the power of creativity and literature to enhance people’s lives.
Alex will write a commissioned poem about both fatherhood and his experience of working with the men in the Family Unit of HMP Parc; an experience that will stay with him for a long time.
Alex is the Children’s Laureate Wales 2023-2025. Founded by Literature Wales in 2019, the role is awarded every two years to a talented and visionary Wales-based writer who is passionate about ensuring more children and young people discover the joy and well-being benefits of engaging with literature. Find out more about Alex and the Children’s laureate Wales project here: Children’s Laureate Wales