What must it be like for a child to visit a father in prison?
A tiring journey, waiting around to be checked in, being searched by a woman in uniform, then into a high, bleak room and Dad sitting on a hard chair. Mum buys you a drink and some crisps, you tell Dad what you’ve been doing at school but he may not be listening properly. The outside world seems a long way away.
Then what do you do? Sit and fidget while Mum and Dad try to sort out family problems – not enough money for your new shoes; someone trying to make you move house; people coming round to ask about Dad’s friends.
But there is a nice bright place in the corner of the room, with cheerful ladies who do not ask awkward questions but give you toys to play with, or crayons to draw your Dad a picture; read you a story or play games with you. You can go back to Mum and Dad when you want to but quite soon Mum fetches you to say goodbye to Dad and then you’re off home again with Mum looking worried and sad.

Would you like to help us create a happy and relaxed environment for these children? Why not come and look round, without commitment and maybe get a friend to come with you.
We run seven sessions each week, weekday afternoons and weekend mornings and afternoons. Each session lasts two hours. We ask volunteers to make a regular commitment, say once a week, once a fortnight, once a month, so that we can plan our rota. We can pay you travel expenses from up to ten miles away. Volunteers are given training on basic security within the prison and a member of staff or an experienced volunteer is in charge of each session. No one ever works on their own.
Please give us a call at the prison for further details on 01442 834363 ext. 392 (leave a message and we will get back to you). We look forward to your call.
Karen and Hilary