TiPP

What TiPP does

TiPP (Theatre in Prisons and Probation) is a UK registered charity (No: 1052295) and limited company (No: 3140988) founded in 1991 and headquartered at The Martin Harris Centre for Music & Drama, University of Manchester. The organization delivers participatory arts programmes—encompassing theatre, music, visual arts, creative writing, film, and photography—to people in criminal justice settings, including 15 North West regional prisons, probation Activity Hubs across Yorkshire and the North West, and youth justice services. Core flagship programmes include Changing Stories (NHS England-funded prison residencies targeting 1,000+ participants in recovery units), Rhythm & Renewal (Youth Music-funded music programme for youth justice), CFO Activity Hubs (HMPPS-funded creative sessions for people on probation), Moments in Transit (a public photography exhibition at Deansgate Railway Station), and Next Stop (a GMCA-funded transport-hub arts initiative launched August 2025). The organization also operates the UK's longest-running undergraduate prison theatre course (since 1991) and a Level 3 participatory music module at the University of Manchester.

TiPP's methodology centres on participatory arts facilitation, employing theatre improvisation, devising, music-making, and creative writing in a co-creation model that prioritizes participant voice and process documentation. Distinctive technical components include the Blagg! drama programme (devised 1992, with a 1.5m head prop still in active use as a facilitation tool) and a visual documentation approach by artist Paul Gent that captures process in secure environments where photography is restricted. The organization holds Arts Council England "Keeping Arts Safe" trainer status and NSPCC-accredited safeguarding trainers, credentials that enable operation inside secure environments and external safeguarding training delivery. Notable alumni include Benedict Cumberbatch (Daily Telegraph profile, 2006), and the organization has incubated spin-off charities including Our Room (formerly The Blue Room, 2013).

TiPP operates as a grant-funded charity with no commercial pricing. Revenue is generated through individual donations (with GiftAid), institutional grants from government bodies (NHS England, HMPPS CFO), and arts and community funders (Youth Music, GMCA, Arts Council England, National Lottery Community Fund). The organization maintains a small core staff supplemented by a freelance pool of artists, and received Culture Recovery Fund support in October 2020 alongside recent recognition including Manchester Culture Awards 2024 and the Youth Music Social Action Award 2025.

Name

TiPP

Legal name

TiPP

Website

https://tipp.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TiPP is a UK registered charity founded in 1991 delivering participatory theatre, music, and creative-arts programmes to people in prisons, youth justice, and probation across the North West, funded by NHS England, HMPPS, Youth Music, GMCA, and Arts Council England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Criminal Justice Arts Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Parole Offices and Probation Offices (92215), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Corrections (Probation, Parole & Reentry) (BPAIAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Corrections, Detention & Probation Officer Training (EDAOAMAE)

Keywords

• Participatory arts programmes
• Criminal justice arts
• Prison theatre training
• Arts based research
• Youth justice music

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: As a small registered charity, TiPP relies on donations from individuals, businesses, and charitable trusts. The organization states it depends on the generosity of supporters. UK taxpayers can use GiftAid to increase the value of their donations through CAF Donate.
2. Institutional Grants and Government Funding: TiPP receives significant funding from government bodies and arts councils including NHS England (prison arts programme), HMPPS CFO (probation activity hubs), Youth Music (youth justice music programme), GMCA Collaborate Fund (transport hub project), Arts Council England (Culture Recovery Fund), The National Lottery Community Fund, and other institutional funders.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TiPP (Theatre in Prisons and Probation) is a registered charity founded in 1991, based at the University of Manchester, that delivers participatory arts programmes — covering theatre, music, visual art, and creative writing — inside prisons, in probation settings, and across youth justice services throughout the UK. The organisation also runs university teaching and training (including the country's longest-running prison theatre course and a Participatory Music in Theory and Practice course), and conducts arts-based research. Additional services include safeguarding training, social work and nursing skills training, and consultancy for partners operating in justice and health contexts.

Product overview

TiPP (Theatre in Prisons and Probation) is a charitable organisation offering participatory arts programmes rather than a traditional technology product. The core offerings consist of creative arts programmes targeting prisons, youth justice services, and community settings. Key programmes include: Changing Stories (NHS England-funded prison arts residencies across 15 NW prisons), Rhythm & Renewal (youth justice music programme), CFO Activity Hubs (creative sessions for probation), Moments in Transit (photography exhibition), and Next Stop (transport hub arts initiative). Training and education services include the University of Manchester's Prison Theatre course (established 1991), Participatory Music course, and Social Work/Nursing training. Research services encompass arts-based research methodologies for marginalised communities. Safeguarding training and consultancy services are also provided to arts venues.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Changing Stories: TiPP's flagship NHS England-funded prison arts programme delivering creative residencies in NW regional prisons
• Rhythm & Renewal
• Moments in Transit
• Next Stop

Products and services

• Changing Stories
• Rhythm & Renewal
• CFO Activity Hubs
• Moments in Transit
• Next Stop A TiPP participatory arts programme engaging people in criminal justice settings, particularly relevant to youth justice contexts.
• Prison Theatre Course (University of Manchester)
• Participatory Music in Theory and Practice Course A university teaching course associated with TiPP, focused on the theory and practice of participatory music in criminal justice contexts.
• Social Work and Nursing Skills Training Training delivered by TiPP to develop social work and nursing skills for practitioners working in criminal justice and related settings.
• Safeguarding Training and Consultancy Safeguarding training and consultancy delivered by TiPP for partners operating in criminal justice, health and community settings.
• Arts Based Research Arts-based research services delivered by TiPP, applying participatory and practice-led research methods to criminal justice and related topics.
• Life Objects (with GMWSA) A collaborative participatory arts project delivered by TiPP in partnership with the Greater Manchester Women Support Association (GMWSA), producing creative outputs with women involved with the criminal justice system.

Quantifiable outcome

• Changing Stories will deliver 100+ weeks of residency to 1,000+ prison participants across 15 NW prisons (NHS England funded)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered secondary, minor and core.

• Greater Manchester Women's Support Alliance (GMWSA)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018In 2018, GMWSA commissioned TiPP to look at women's experience of Greater Manchester Women's Centres. Over the year, a team of artists led by Kate McCoy worked with over a hundred women in eight Women's Centres, inviting them to share experiences through storytelling, drama, music, visual art, and creative writing. The work was captured in the book 'Life Objects'.
• Irene Taylor Trust (Music in Prisons)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018TiPP partnered with the Irene Taylor Trust on the Making Tracks project — a partnership delivering creative music projects in prisons. The first north of England Making Tracks took place in Oldham in July 2018.
• My Hub (Manchester Music Education Hub)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership with My Hub as part of a two-year Youth Music funded project (2018-2020) to align music education within TiPP's participatory arts offering and improve musical opportunities for young people within the youth justice system.
• The Philip Barker Centre for Creative Learning, University of ChesterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership with the University of Chester's Faculty of Education and Children's Services as part of a two-year Youth Music funded project (2018-2020) focused on workforce development within the Manchester music and education sectors.
• University of Manchester — Department of DramacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTiPP has delivered the UK's longest-running undergraduate course in Prison Theatre at the University of Manchester since 1991. Also delivers a Level 3 music module (since 2014) and MA music practical training (since 2023). Students prepare to lead week-long residencies in NW prisons.
• University of Manchester — Centre for Criminology and Criminal JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTiPP has an immensely productive working relationship with this centre, developing arts-based research methods to explore the lives of hidden and marginalised communities. Collaborations include PROMISe (EC, 2017), Candid Conversations About Radicalisation (2016), Documenting the Undocumented (ESRC, 2015), The Rights of Undocumented Migrants (ESRC, 2013), MiMen, and a DCMS rapid evidence review (2025).
• University of Manchester — Department of MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2014, TiPP has taught a Level 3 course (Participatory Music in Theory and Practice) for the Music Department at the University of Manchester. In 2023, the University invited TiPP to provide practical training for MA Music postgraduate students, providing practice-based training and placements for approximately a dozen students each year.
• Manchester Metropolitan UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of TiPP's main delivery partners for social work and nursing skills training, where TiPP provides specialist actors for role-play simulation in Social Work and Health training. Students conduct assessments with TiPP actors playing service users or patients.
• Youth Music (Safeguarding Consultancy)secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTiPP serves as safeguarding consultants to Youth Music, the national charity funding many of TiPP's music programmes with young people.
• Curious MindssecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTiPP has delivered safeguarding and safer practices sessions for Curious Minds, which emerged from Creative Partnerships East Lancashire where TiPP served as Creative Producer (2005-2008). TiPP continues to partner with Curious Minds on arts education projects.
• Sheffield TheatresminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTiPP has delivered safeguarding training sessions for Sheffield Theatres as part of its portfolio of safer working practices training for venues and cultural organisations.
• Royal Scottish National OrchestraminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRachel Graham (TiPP Project Director, Music) created new bespoke safeguarding policies, code of conduct, and delivered training for musicians and staff at the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in response to changing activities and incorporating new legislation.
• Transport for Greater Manchester / Northern / Community Rail NetworksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners in the Moments in Transit exhibition at Deansgate Railway Station (opened by Mayor Andy Burnham, September 2024) and in the Next Stop project creating public art at Bee Network transport hubs across Greater Manchester.
• Manchester Youth Justice ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership with Manchester Youth Justice Service for the Rhythm & Renewal music programme (previously Rock Up, 2016-2023). TiPP supports the Service's ambition to become an arts-based service. Young Warriors podcast (University of Glasgow) featured TiPP's work with this service.
• Manchester Drug Services (MDS) / Change, Grow, Live (CGL)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTiPP has a long-standing working relationship with Manchester Drug Services (now part of Change, Grow, Live) for drug treatment and testing order projects including The Grey Area (2003) and Our Mark at Royal Exchange Theatre (2007).
• 42nd StreetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManchester's young people's mental health charity partnered with TiPP (and Box of Frogs) on the Planet Art project, working with young parents in Swinton and young men in HMP & YOI Hindley.
• The Growth CompanysecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManages the Yorkshire CFO Activity Hubs where TiPP delivers creative arts sessions since autumn 2021.
• Achieve Career ConnectsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManages the North West CFO Activity Hubs where TiPP began delivering creative arts sessions in 2024.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Curious Minds: North West arts-education organization that evolved from Creative Partnerships East Lancashire (where TiPP was Creative Producer 2005–2008). Overlapping geography, arts-education mission, and safeguarding practice; TiPP provides safeguarding training to Curious Minds and partners on projects.
• Manchester Metropolitan University (Drama, Social Work): TiPP delivers specialist actor-led role-play training for MMU's Social Work and Nursing programmes. Adjacent rather than competing — illustrates the same model TiPP applies with University of Manchester Drama/Music, scaled into social work skills simulation.
• User Voice: User-led charity bringing lived experience of the criminal justice system into policy, scrutiny panels, and service design. Overlapping beneficiary group (prisoners, people on probation) and shared funder landscape, but not arts-based — useful adjacent comparison for impact-measurement approaches.

Direct peers

• Geese Theatre Company: UK-based theatre company specializing in drama-based interventions in prisons, probation, and youth justice settings. Closest direct peer to TiPP — overlapping methods (forum theatre, role play), overlapping customer base (HMPPS, youth offending teams), and a comparable 30+ year operating history.
• Clean Break Theatre Company: UK theatre company for women with experience of the criminal justice system. Direct peer — overlapping mission (arts with women affected by criminal justice, of which TiPP's GMWSA Life Objects work is an example), participatory practice, and university-linked training.
• Synergy Theatre Project: London-based theatre company working with prisoners, ex-prisoners, and young people at risk. Direct peer — comparable target beneficiaries (prisoners, young offenders), participatory theatre methodology, and rehabilitation-focused outcomes, though operating primarily in the South East.
• Irene Taylor Trust: UK charity delivering music-making programmes in prisons and with people at risk of offending. Direct peer — TiPP has already partnered with them on Making Tracks (2018); both organizations deliver participatory arts residencies funded by Youth Music and Arts Council England in criminal justice settings.
• Safe Ground: UK charity running arts-based programmes in prisons and with ex-offenders (e.g., Family Man, Thinking Straight). Direct peer — comparable prison-based delivery model, groupwork methodology with men in custody, and a comparable funding mix (charitable trusts, government, Big Lottery).

Emerging players

• Prison Creative Arts Project (University of Michigan): US-based university-linked arts-in-prison programme running residencies and an annual showcase. Comparable academic partnership model to TiPP's University of Manchester Prison Theatre course, though operating in a different jurisdiction and funding system.
• Cardboard Citizens: Theatre company making work with people who have experienced homelessness, the criminal justice system, and other forms of marginalization. Partial overlap with TiPP's marginalized-populations mission and use of participatory devising, though the homelessness angle is more central than prison arts.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tippmcr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TiPP