Events

 A north east charity, supporting over 137,000 visitors to north east prisons each year, is seeking new volunteers to help support families and children of prisoners at HMPs Durham, Frankland and Low Newton in Durham.

Nepacs has worked across the north east region for over 135 years to help support a positive future for prisoners, their friends and families and has a fantastic team of volunteers working in all seven prisons and courts in the north east and in the community.

The charity are giving anyone interested in volunteering the chance to come along to their Volunteer Open Days at HMP Durham visitors’ centre in Durham City on Thursday 7 December 2017 from 11am to 12noon or Saturday 9 December 2017 from 10am to 11am. Those that attend will hear about the different volunteering opportunities available and be able to chat to existing volunteers. Those interested in volunteering will have the chance to sign up for volunteering on the day. 

There are a wide range of opportunities available at Nepacs. Within the three Durham prisons volunteers are needed to help in the visit tea bars, visitors’ centre, youth zones and play areas. The charity is also looking for volunteers to support their regional youth programme which helps young people aged 8 to 17 years impacted by a parent or relative being in prison and to help out as admin volunteers at the head office in Durham City.

Nepacs need more volunteers to ensure they 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. Their 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.

Nepacs volunteers come from all walks of life, including people who are retired, students and professionals who volunteer in their spare time.

To book onto the open days please contact Emma Price, Nepacs Volunteer Coordinator by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0191 375 7278. Anyone interested must book a place.