VOLUNTEERS are being sought to support families visiting loved ones at HMP Hewell, and help prevent vulnerable children suffering their own ‘hidden sentence’.

Barnardo’s will encourage positive relationships and promote children’s play during visits, in order to reduce the impact of parental imprisonment on youngsters.

Volunteers will also signpost families to important sources of information and support.

Barnardo’s engagement manager Sara Rattenbury said: “Families often suffer their own ‘hidden sentence’ when a parent is imprisoned, experiencing social isolation and stigma.

“Children can be particularly affected, quite often experiencing feelings akin to grief.

“The parent left in the community has their own and their child’s feelings to contend with, as well as the challenge of keeping in touch with the imprisoned partner.

“Therefore we want to create a small but friendly team of volunteers who will make a big difference to young lives by supporting them during this difficult period.”

The scheme, which is commissioned by HM Prison and Probation Service, requires volunteers on different days and times, mostly in the afternoons, and occasional all-day sessions on the weekend.

Tasks include welcoming families and promoting positive play between inmates and their children.

Sara added: “Research has shown that prisoners who maintain links with their families are less likely to reoffend upon release, so this is a unique opportunity to not only support vulnerable children but also benefit wider society.”

No formal qualifications are required, but applicants must be non-judgemental, enthusiastic and have good communication and listening skills.

Experience of working with vulnerable children and adults would be useful but not essential.

Potential volunteers would need to undergo enhanced disclosure checks.

Call Sara on 07525 804766 or email sara.rattenbury@barnardos.org.uk.