On Monday 17 June 2019 staff and volunteers from Nepacs were given recognition for their long service and outstanding contribution to supporting prisoners and their families in the north east.
Nepacs is a north east charity which supports prisoners and their families.
This year the awards were presented by Andy Hudson, Governor at HMP Deerbolt at the charity’s annual development and celebration event.
17 long service awards were presented and 38 Shining Star certificates of commendation were presented, plus six winners.
This year’s winners were:
- People’s Choice Award – Hilary Askin and the HMP Holme House visits team
- Staff Member of the Year – Becki Prout (Family support worker, HMP Kirklevington Grange)
- Team of the Year – Support at Court team
- Chairman’s Choice Staff Award – Linda Fenwick, HMP Deerbolt team leader
- Chairman’s Choice Team Awards – Northumbria CRC Family and Parenting Team
- Volunteer of the Year – Rachel Burns (Support at courts volunteer)
Helen Attewell, chief executive of Nepacs, said: “The Nepacs’ Shining Star and long service awards are our way of honouring and thanking our staff and volunteers for their continued dedication and outstanding contribution to making a real difference to the lives of families affected by imprisonment. We are particularly delighted with the number of nominations made by our service users for the People’s Choice Award – which shows how much our service users value and rely on the support they receive from our staff and volunteers to help them to cope with their difficult situation.
“I would like to congratulate and thank everyone who was recognised at the event. We know that it is the people working for Nepacs on a paid or unpaid basis that really make the difference for individuals or families impacted by a prison sentence, and it is their kindness, commitment and dedication which enables Nepacs to continue to grow and respond to the needs of our service users.”