2007 The Laughter Network laugh with HMP Peterborough

“Take us to the prison please" I said to the driver in the bright blue taxi outside Peterborough station. I had never expected to say these words but had been approached by Amy who runs the Holistic centre at Her Majesty's Prison in Peterborough and asked if we could run a laughter session for the women there.

Lotte had kindly agreed to join me as she was interested in this area too, so it was with some trepidation and excitement that we dis-embarked from the taxi and entered the prison reception.

Mobiles had to be left in a locker and we entered the 'sealed room' which was air locked on both sides and could see guards with the famous key ring dangling from their belts.

We were escorted across the Prison Yard which looked just like it did in movies, square, grey and concrete.

We had given consideration to the specialist situation and knew that making eye contact would be challenging for them. We also started thinking "Remember not to say 'Don't walk around like you are in a Prison Yard!'" as we encourage them to move around the space.

Numerous doors were unlocked and locked and finally we reached THE BRIDGE which is where Amy runs the Holistic centre.

It was a warm, inviting spacious place with good light and Amy proudly showed us the Chakra rooms all around the edge of the room, all painted different colours, some with massage beds in, as the women learn therapy skills to use on the outside when they are released.

We started setting up in one of the rooms but as the women came in, and kept coming we realised we would need to be in the big open space. Eventually we had 28 participants from all walks of life and all nationalities.

They didn't all know each other, so we started gently by doing some stretching and stomping and breathing and then some brain gym to get them moving. Most of them admitted that they were unsure as to what was going to happen and one person said they really didn't want to do anything they hadn't done before. 3 or 4 of them chose not to participate maybe because they were pregnant or just wanted to watch the others, and so it was fine for them to sit on the sofas and watch.

They enjoyed the energising game of Zip Zap Boing and then we talked about different kinds of laughter and looked at Top Tips for Laughter. They also enjoyed drawing a picture of themselves with closed eyes and Lotte is going to make a picture gallery for them.

It was very rewarding for us to put them in groups and invite them to agree on a movement with a laughter sound and present it like a little dance. They got a lot out of this is terms of creativity and teambuilding.

We could really see a change in their faces by the time Humerobics exercise came round and when we did a few Dr Kataria laughs they were beginning to fade, so we lay down and had 5 minutes laughter meditation then a nice relaxation.

The relaxation proved too much for the girl who hadn't wanted to do anything different but it had been marvellous to see her really enjoying herself and joining in the other activities..

They were generous with the applause and compliments and agreed they all felt a lot better.

Here is some of the feedback we received

“The two presenters today were amazing – so good to be around. Some of us have so much pain in our lives and then along comes laughter therapy, they put big smiles and lots of giggles into our lives, and it makes the pain go away for a while. I would like train in this area and spread more laughter”

“It reminds you to laugh and how good it feels. Can help with confidence building”

“Great way of letting go of negativity. Makes you feel differently about things after”

“Was reluctant at first, but enjoyed myself thoroughly”

“Simply infectious afternnon. Everyone was on such a buzz after”

“Laughter really is a drug … there are only very pleasant after effects”

All in all a fantastic experience, and we have agreed we will return next year.