DEDICATED volunteers who help at a charity based at a prison were thanked for their work over tea and cake.
The award-winning ‘Invisible Walls’, a prison-based family support service run out of HMP Winchester by Spurgeons Children’s Charity, hosted an awards event to thank their team members on June 7.
The charity has more than 70 volunteers who help facilitate the visitor centre at the prison, including a tea room and play area for children.
The service has helped 590 fathers in custody since 2016, keeping families together and reducing reoffending.
The Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Angela Clear, attended the event and gave her thanks to the team.
She said: "It must be a difficult time for so many when their loved ones end up in prison, that's where the brilliant dedication of all of you - staff and volunteers - help so much.
"You help them to talk to their loved ones, and make them feel better. The benefits of this facility you provide is certainly something. Well done. It shows on your faces and through what you have said to me today what it means. You are a beacon of good practice."
Jim Bourke, governor of HMP Winchester since 2018, also joined the event to give his thanks.
He said that the service was vital as it helps to prevent reoffending by helping with rehabilitation.
He said: "The thing that contributes the most by a long way is contact with family or a significant other. That can only be managed to the level it is in Winchester because of you. I want to say thank you for all the work you do."
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Volunteers and service staff were treated to cake as well as being handed awards for long service, enthusiasm, cleaning and for being positive role models, and more.
Prison family services manager, Victoria Baird said: “Volunteers are essential to the successful running of our service; we could not do what we do without them.
"They are the first point of contact for those visiting HMP Winchester and offer vital kindness and support.
"They help with the running of our specialist visits, homework club and parenting course delivery and without their contribution and commitment, there would be no provision for children and families during their visit.
"Children and families can arrive fretful from travelling, unsure about the process of the visit.
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"By offering such a welcoming environment our volunteers help to reduce these anxieties, making the visit less stressful and much more enjoyable for the whole family.
"We are extremely grateful for their continued support and efforts to provide a safe, welcoming, and fun space for children and families visiting HMP/YOI Winchester, and this event is to recognise all their hard work and efforts and say thank you for their time and commitment.”
Husband and wife Bruce and Anne Newson, from Bramdean, were among the volunteers handed honours. They have volunteered in the tea room for eight years after being introduced to the charity through a friend at their church.
Anne said: "We really enjoy it."
The event was held during Volunteers' Week, an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering in their communities.
For more go to spurgeons.org/winchester-prison-family-services/
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