Jess (not her real name) had no experience of visiting a prison before her partner was imprisoned at HMP Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey a world away from the family home in Northern Ireland where she lived with their…
Tag: prison family support
Spurgeons colleague recognised for partnership working at national Youth Custody Service Awards
We are proud to share that Nii Anum of Spurgeons Prisoner and Significant Others Service at HMP/YOI Feltham has been recognised for his positive partnership working at the Youth Custody Service Staff Awards. The staff awards, held at HMPS Newbold…
Poems help to heal family bonds
Kerry Longhorn, Service Lead on Spurgeons Invisible Walls project in HMP Winchester says, “We ran a Dads Together group, an informal lunchtime session where dads could talk to us and each other about fatherhood and families. As part of this…
Adam’s story: ”I looked at the world in a new way”
Former prisoner Adam shared at the 10th anniversary celebration how Invisible Walls helped him to be a better father and turn his life around so his children did not follow in his footsteps. Lord Farmer, chair of an Independent Ministry…
A day in the life of Anna – Prison Family Support Worker
CYP Now Awards finalist Anna is the Spurgeons Family Services Practitioner at HMP Ford, an open prison in West Sussex. She gives us an insight into her work. “Every day is different, really! My office is down one end of…
HMP Winchester Celebrates 10-Years Of The Invisible Walls Programme
HMP WINCHESTER CELEBRATES 10-YEARS OF THE INVISIBLE WALLS PROGRAMME – KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER AND REDUCING REOFFENDING ‘Invisible Walls’, a prison-based family support service run out of HMP Winchester by Spurgeons Children’s Charity, has just celebrated its 10-year anniversary in…
A Christmas to treasure
Children so love Christmas – but last year it was a tough time, particularly for children whose families were struggling financially or facing other challenges. Prison visits were also suspended, so our Family Services colleagues at the Sheppey Cluster of…
Several Spurgeons services shortlisted for 2021 Children and Young People Now Awards
Children and Young People Now magazine is dedicated to professionals working with children, young people and families. It’s annual CYP Now Awards recognise the very best practice amongst those professionals – and we’re delighted that several of our projects were…
Volunteering in prison ”really opened my eyes”
Invisible Walls, our flagship prisons family services project at HMP Winchester, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Caroline Miles has volunteered since its early days – she explains what drew her to this work and what she has learned…
Prisons Week of Prayer 2021
2021 is the eighth year of our involvement in Prisons Week of Prayer – a national, ecumenical initiative to raise awareness and generate prayer for all those affected by imprisonment – including children and families, victims, communities as well as…