A museum in Dorchester has collaborated with a group to showcase crafts from former offenders this winter.

Women from Dorset who have either received a police caution, or served a prison or community sentence, have created an exclusive range of t-shirts, cards, tote bags and handmade jewellery that is is on sale at the Shire Hall Museum in the town’s High West Street.

The museum is located in what was Dorset’s main courthouse for over two hundred years, and showcases the history of justice in Dorset, including a network of underground Georgian and Victorian cells and the original courtroom.

The women who’ve created the range for the museum, are all part of the Second Chances art group, run by the Dorset-based Footprints Project charity. The Footprints Project supports people in Dorset who are starting again after being impacted by the criminal justice system, providing individual support and mentoring.

Profits from all sales will go towards both Shire Hall and The Footprints Project, keeping the story of justice in Dorset alive and helping women in today’s justice system.

The Second Chances art group is a weekly group run by Bournemouth-based artist Samantha March and the Footprints Project Art Co-ordinator for Dorset, Helen Hempstead.

The group aims to help women to address past trauma, develop self-confidence and learn new skills in a supportive environment.

Helen Hempstead said: ‘It's lovely to see our work on display here at the Shire Hall. The Second Chances art group is such an important community for the women we support.

"I'm delighted they're getting to see their work on sale.’ Virginia Smith, Director of the Shire Hall Museum, said: ‘It is really exciting to be working with the Footprints Project. We share very similar objectives in that both charities are working towards improving social justice and the lives of women in particular.

“I am thrilled we are able to promote the work these women have been doing and Shire Hall feels like exactly the right place to showcase their talents and we’ve sold a few pieces already."

She added: "We are looking forward to our pre-Christmas sale in the shop on December 8 and hope lots of people will come and buy the items which make wonderful Christmas gifts."