Our prison work

For over a decade Oddments Theatre has worked alongside prison chaplains taking the Christian message into prison through drama. Over the years we have built up a circuit of prisons in the South / Southwest of England.

The Accidental Prison Ministry

It all started quite by accident, but it was one of those "accidents" which you realise with hindsight is actually part of God's plan.

We were planning a show at Dorchester Arts Centre and one of our group was given the task of sending out the publicity to all the local churches. Inadvertently the chaplain from the prison ship on Portland was included on the list. He sent us a very kind reply in which he apologised that his congregation would be unable to join us for the show at the Dorchester Arts Centre, for obvious reasons. However he wondered whether we would be interested in performing for them on the prison ship. He assured us that if we were able to take him up on this offer we would have a captive audience (!) This first visit gave us the impetus to make contact with other prison chaplains and the rest, as they say, is history. (Extract from the Oddments forthcoming book.)

Our Prison Vision:

We believe that prison is one of the most rewarding places to work, as offenders are often very open to the life-changing message of the gospel. Our aim is to tour all 13 of the prisons within a 120-mile radius of Yeovil + a few national ones. As well as performing drama, Oddments often involve a speaker whose testimony is relevant to the inmates. Outreaches are carefully co-ordinated with the chaplain.

Booking a Prison Outreach

We make no charge for our prisons work. We are able to offer fully subsidised outreaches with the help of our ‘Friends of Oddments’ scheme. However, these funds are limited, so if you are able to contribute towards the cost it is appreciated.

Contact 01035 433481 to discuss details
or email oddments.theatre@gmail.com

Donating towards our prison outreaches

We need your help finance the prison missions. On average, our prison outreaches cost £160- £260 per event. This includes, travel, copyrights, part of the cost of setting up the mission and developing the dramas, as well as the cost of any supporting speaker. If you were able to make a donation towards the cost it would be greatly appreciated.

Donate now

If you are able to donate, please email us your name and address and we will be able to give you the date we use your gift and in which prisons. (Be assured we won’t send you endless newsletters and emails)

Our prison work is based on:

Matthew: 25:36
I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.