For the past two years the South Tees Excellence in Volunteering Awards have recognised the contribution of exceptional volunteers to their communities. For 2015/16 MVDA and RCVDA, working with Teesside University, widened the celebration, to recognise the remarkable work and perseverance of the local organisations that provide South Tees with a backbone of vital voluntary and community action. There were ten award categories, divided into three areas, each celebrating how the sector involves, influences and impacts on the community.
Every year thousands of children and families become hidden victims of crime when a relative is imprisoned and are at risk of social isolation and stigma which can affect their emotional, physical, financial and social wellbeing.
Nepacs volunteers support people when a loved one is sent to custody when visiting prison is a daunting prospect. Offering reassurance in the most challenging of circumstances and making sure that families link in with support.
The Nepacs Holme House Visitors’ Centre team, which includes 25 volunteers, supports over 3,600 visitors a month, seven days a week (excluding bank holidays). Our staff and volunteers run the Visitors’ Centre, tea bars (centre and visits hall), play areas and youth zones, and run special family visits (in partnership with the family support workers). They give all visitors support and signpost to specialist agencies. The team also refer families/prisoners to other Nepacs services including grants, caravan holidays, family support and Through the Gate workers.
Nepacs is a long standing charity which works across the north east region to help support a positive future for prisoners and their families. Staff and volunteers from Nepacs provide a number of services to support friends and families of prisoners, in seven prison and young offender establishments across the north east and within the community, including prison visitors’ centres, play areas, youth projects, integrated family support and the courts project.
Hilary Askin, Nepacs Visitor Centre manager at HMP Holme House, said: “This award is well deserved recognition for the hard work and dedication of our team of volunteers at HMP Holme House visitors’ centre.
“Our volunteers are committed to helping families, with some volunteering for up to 21 years. They cover every shift and are a vital source of kindness, friendship and information in a sometimes harsh system offering comfort and someone to talk to.
“Their care and dedication is impressive, providing a much-valued lifeline to many families, who feel that without this support they may not have ‘survived the sentence’.”
What visitors said:
“Me and my family can’t thank you all enough for making a difficult time easier you are all amazing”
“… thank you to everyone for all the help over the last 4 years”
For more information about volunteering with Nepacs visit www.nepacs.co.uk or email volunteering@nepacs.co.uk