A CHARITY has appealed for volunteers to work with families and children of prisoners in Durham

The call comes from the North East Prison After Care Society (Nepacs), which runs the visitors’ centres at HMP Durham, HMP Frankland and HMP&YOI Low Newton in Durham.

NEPACS have a team of volunteers working across the region, but are particularly keen to recruit more volunteers at the three Durham City prisons.

The charity works to help build bridges between prisoners, their families and their communities.

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.

The three north Durham prisons welcome around 50,000 visitors each year, who are greeted on arrival by staff and volunteers from NEPACS.

Christine Morris, NEPACS visitors’ centre manager at HMP Durham, said: “We have fantastic teams of staff and volunteers who provide extremely valuable support in our centres, tea bars, play areas or youth zones.

“Visiting prison for the first time can be quite difficult and sometimes distressing.

"Our team of staff and volunteers provide a friendly place to chat, have a cup of tea and can help to answer any questions or concerns that visitors may have about visiting prison or about their loved ones in prison.

“Volunteering with families, especially children, can be very rewarding and can also provide you with valuable training and experience.”

The three visitors’ centre teams are looking for people who have a few hours to spare each week or fortnight.

No previous experience is required, but helping out in the play area it would suit those with training in childcare. References and security clearance will be required.

Anyone who is interested in helping should contact NEPACS on 0191-375 7278 or email jblackett@nepacs.co.uk. For more information visit www.nepacs.co.uk.