A CHARITY is to hold an open day to recruit volunteers to support the families and children of prisoners.

The charity Nepacs works with visitors to HMP Durham, Frankland and Low Newton prisons in Durham.

The charity is holding two Volunteer Open Days at HMP Durham visitors’ centre in Durham City to explain what is involved and give volunteers the chance to sign up.

Events take place on Thursday, December 7 at 11am and Saturday, December 9 at 10am.

Within the three Durham prisons, volunteers are needed to help in the visitor tea bars, visitors’ centre, youth zones and play areas.

Emma Price, Nepacs, volunteer coordinator, said: “Our team of volunteers are dedicated to helping prisoners’ families and children across the north east, but we need more volunteers to ensure we can offer the best support possible.

“The impact of imprisonment on children and families can be devastating and visiting court or prison for the first time can be quite difficult and sometimes distressing.

“Our volunteers offer a warm welcome and someone to chat to, which is particularly important for people who are going into the unknown and are facing a place and situation they may never have thought they would ever be.”

To book onto the open days please contact Emma Price on 0191 375 7278.