New Chapters

The programme 

New Chapters is a creative writing programme developed and delivered by the National Literacy Trust. Boys aged 15–18 in custody took part in up to 12 face-to-face group sessions. Ten of the sessions were delivered by New Chapters project managers and two sessions were delivered by professional authors. Each group worked towards a celebration of the young people’s writing. 

Why did YEF fund this project?

Young people in custody often face several overlapping challenges. These can include behavioural and mental health difficulties, disrupted education, poor literacy, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and exclusion from mainstream education. Creative activities such as writing may help engage young people who have had negative experiences of education by giving them opportunities to express themselves, build confidence, develop positive relationships and form a more positive sense of identity. The YEF Toolkit found a weak evidence base for arts programmes.  They appeared to work best when they involved skilled and relatable artists, provided a safe and non-judgemental environment and were relevant to children’s interests. The review identified 43 studies, usually involving small samples, and none measured whether arts programmes reduced violence. This evaluation aimed to strengthen the evidence by examining whether a structured creative writing programme could improve behavioural and related outcomes for boys in custody. 

Evaluation design 

YEF funded an evaluation of New Chapters. It began with a pilot to find out whether it would be possible to carry out a larger efficacy trial of the programme. The efficacy trial would have tested whether New Chapters reduced behavioural difficulties and incidents and improved empathy, self-esteem, mental wellbeing, creativity and young people’s sense of identity. The pilot also examined whether the programme could be delivered as intended and whether it caused any unintended harm. Boys were randomly allocated either to take part in New Chapters (in addition to the usual provision) or to continue with their usual provision alone. 

Decision to terminate the trial 

A decision was made in October 2025 to terminate the trial. Recruitment was substantially below target: 39 young people compared with 150. Follow-up retention was also below target, at 28.9% compared with 70%. Only four of the eight groups formed completed all of the programme. 

What did we learn? 

Boys were generally willing to take part in the research. Interviews and observations suggested that New Chapters may have supported their confidence in writing and expressing themselves, although the study could not show that the programme caused these changes. Sessions with professional authors and celebration events were particularly popular. Future delivery should retain these elements while giving staff more flexibility to tailor activities to boys’ interests and needs. 

The version of New Chapters tested in the trial was different from its usual more flexible format. It became a structured 12-session programme, mostly delivered by NLT staff. Several aspects of this model had not previously been tested. Security restrictions, limited custody staffing and a lack of suitable space also made it difficult to form stable groups and deliver sessions consistently. Only four of the eight groups completed the programme. 

The evaluation was also difficult to deliver. Eligibility requirements and restrictions on which boys could mix left only small numbers available.. Randomly dividing these boys between New Chapters and usual provision sometimes left only two or three boys in an intervention group. Recruitment and follow-up rates were also below target. Any future trial should begin with feasibility work to test whether enough boys can be recruited and retained. 

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