A charity supporting more than 124,000 visitors to North East prisons each year is appealing for volunteers to help families and children impacted by the criminal justice system.

Nepacs aims to support and enhance the lives of people as they navigate the justice or social care systems, ensuring they always have someone trusted by their side. The charity has more than 170 volunteers working across the north of England including teams of volunteers in all seven prisons and courts in the North East, and in the community.

The charity is seeking volunteers to help provide a welcoming visiting service for children and families visiting a loved one in HMP Holme House, Stockton, HMP Kirklevington, Yarm, and HMP Frankland, Durham.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Nepacs is looking for volunteers to provide support in the visitors centre (outside the prison) and in the tea bars and play areas in the visits halls

Hilary Askin, Nepacs’ prison visits services team manager, said: “The impact of imprisonment on children and families can be devastating which is why we feel it is important to support them every step of their journey – from the courts, during the time their loved one is in prison and prior to release. Our team of volunteers are dedicated to helping prisoners’ families and children across the North East, but we are looking for more volunteers to join our team and help us to offer the best support possible during what is an extremely difficult time for families.

“Nepacs volunteers come from all walks of life. If you think you could get involved and would like to be part of a team who helps to make a difference to the lives of prisoners’ families please get in touch.”

Darlington and Stockton Times: Nepacs is looking for volunteers to provide support in the visitors centre (outside the prison) and in the tea bars and play areas in the visits halls

One volunteer at Holme House visitor centre, said: “I’ve been a volunteer with Nepacs for three years, initially with the court project at Teesside Crown Court and then for the past year also at Holme House prison. I find it very rewarding as often people are scared, confused and little daunted by the whole process. It can be an alien environment for some.”

To find out more about volunteering, see www.nepacs.co.uk or contact the Nepacs volunteer coordinator at volunteering@nepacs.co.uk.