Index:The contribution of New Bridge Volunteers Extracts from New Bridge Volunteer Newsletter November 2022The contribution of New Bridge VolunteersSince becoming a VA (Voluntary Associate) seven years ago, I think I understand more of what the prison system can or cannot do, what it does and doesn't do, and what it probably should and shouldn't do. What it could do, alas, may never happen. But the commitment to our role as volunteers does not change and is reinforced with each and every letter and visit. In making an honest assessment of this role, I realise that I do it as much for myself as for my clients because they give me so much. Their courage in such difficult situations physically, mentally and emotionally and their gratitude for the fact that we do not judge them but are able to accept them in spite of what they may have done, is to me a basic truth. We take each other on trust, client and volunteer. Our contribution as VAs seems so small but how can it be measured? We renew our efforts through contacts at the Seminar, receive support through the group meetings, and tell people whenever possible about New Bridge. We are so few, but work goes quietly along. Befriending is something we can all understand because we all need to be befriended. Grace Telfer, Volunteer, Bradford Group Training Notice-boardThe following training is available for volunteers at HMP Durham, who can join groups of prison officers and other prison staff at the training centre.
For more information about the dates of these courses, contact the office. National Volunteer Training CoursesHopefully we should soon be able to offer prospective volunteers recruited a weekend of training at prison service training college Newbold Revel in Rugby. This would enable people from all 4 regions to train together, and the dates would be set in advance so that people would not have to wait for long periods until there was enough people ready to train in any particular region. Prison visits dropAccording to Prison Service figures, visits to prisons have dropped by as much as 50 per cent over the last three years. Why? The summer issue of Prison Report, the magazine of the Prison Reform Trust suggests that the overarching deterrent to visiting must be distance from home and the inaccessibility of some prisons, and the fact that prisoners are often moved around, away from family and friends. Beach WalkI went for a walk on the sandy beach. H. Bharath, HMP Garth News in Brief
Visit Facts
Family Matters NewsWell done to Kathryn, Brenda, Anne and all the sessional workers and volunteers involved. After much hard work the course has been 'Accredited' by TROCN (Teesside Regional Open College Network)!! This is a welcome recognition of the social and educational value of our Family Matters course, which is unique in being the only national programme of its kind operating in prisons. The course for young male offenders was the first to be accepted for accreditation, and the course for women has quickly followed. Family Matters courses have run in the following prisons in our region so far this year:
Further courses are planned for:
Befriending Young OffendersLast year the Bradford group put a suggestion to the Management Committee that New Bridge could look at why we do not get many young offenders requesting a volunteer, even though this group could be quite vulnerable in prison. It could be because letter-writing does not appeal to young people, who also find it difficult to admit they are lonely. The idea was looked into, and the following suggestions were made:
Kathryn contacted a number of Young Offenders Institutions in the North-East, but there was not much interest from the prisons, so it was decided not to take the idea forward at this stage. New Bridge South West RegionJust thought you would like to know about the amazing work done by our fellow VAs down in the South West Region, which I hear about at the Committee Meetings in London. Did you know that we have 5 groups of New Bridge volunteers meeting in Weymouth, Exeter, Winchester, Southampton, and Sherbourne? In the South West volunteers do 'Foreign nationals' work as well as ordinary befriending. This includes facilitating weekly social groups at HMP The Verne which aim to provide general support to prisoners and help to reduce isolation in a multi-cultural environment. Volunteers also hold 'Surgeries' where many of the prisoners seeking advice are Spanish-speakers, and the volunteers provide interpretation, translation, assistance with locating lost property, assistance in dealing with agencies such as Customs and Immigration, and accompanying them to hospital visits. New Bridge Group MeetingsThe purpose of monthly group meetings is:
In the past we have had talks about the Sex Offender treatment programme and the Listeners Scheme at group meetings in Durham. Does anyone have a suggestion for any speakers or discussion topics which we could organise for the New Year? Two new leaflets have been jointly produced by PRT and the Prison Service:
Copies are available from PRT by phoning . |