FRIENDS and families of prisoners in north east prisons are invited to come along to an event in Darlington later this month to have their say on how services they receive can be improved.
The Visitors’ Voice event will take place on Wednesday, March 23 from 10am to 2pm at the Darlington meeting rooms, Darlington Community Fire Station, St Cuthbert’s Way, Darlington, DL1 5LN. Free lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Nepacs, a long-standing charity in the north east of England which aims to support a positive future for prisoners and their families, has organised the annual event to give anyone currently visiting a prison in the north east of England a ‘voice’ about how services they receive when visiting prison can be improved.
Nepacs run a number of services to support friends and families of prisoners, including:
- prison visitors’ centres and tea bars
- play sessions for prisoners’ children and youth projects
- integrated family support services
- support within the Middlesbrough and Durham courts.
Helen Attewell, chief executive of Nepacs said: “Our Visitors’ Voice event is a great opportunity for people who have a friend or relative in prison to get together and speak to others in a similar situation.
“So, if you have a loved one in prison in the north east please come along to our Visitors’ Voice event.
“We want to find out what you think about the help and support you are receiving, and how we can make your visit experience better.
“There will also be an opportunity to talk to health and substance misuse professionals about current offender health issues.
“We are holding this year’s event in Darlington as we are particularly keen to encourage families and friends of prisoners from the County Durham and Tees Valley area to attend the event.”
For more information about the event or to book a place email egray@nepacs.co.uk or telephone 0191 332 3810.
Alternatively, if you already go to a visitors’ centre in the north east you can book your place with the centre manager.
To find out more about the work of Nepacs, including how you can get involved or make a donation please visit www.nepacs.co.uk.