A north east-based charity, supporting more than 84,000 visitors to north east prisons each year, is seeking new volunteers to help support families and children impacted by the criminal justice system in the Teesside area.

Nepacs has worked across the north east region for over 143 years supporting and enhancing the lives of people as they navigate the justice or social care systems, ensuring they always have someone trusted by their side, aiding understanding, facilitating wellbeing and promoting positive choices.

The charity has a team of around 155 dedicated volunteers working in all seven prisons and courts in the north east and in the community across the north of England.

The charity is giving anyone interested in volunteering the chance to drop in to their volunteer open day between 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Monday, June 1 at the visitors’ centres outside HMP Holme House in Stockton on Tees.

There is a wide range of opportunities available at Nepacs, including court support volunteers who offer advice and information to friends/families of defendants at Teesside Combined Courts.

Within HMP Kirklevington Grange and HMP Holme House volunteers are needed to help in the visit tea bars, visitors’ centres, play areas and on special family days.

The charity also has roles for volunteers to support their specialist family support workers which help individuals in prison and their family or loved ones. 

Those that attend will hear about the different volunteering opportunities available in the Teesside area, be able to chat to existing volunteers and if interested in volunteering they will be able to sign up for volunteering on the day. 

Joanna Firth, Nepacs’ visits services team leader at HMP Holme House, 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 come along to our open days or find out more through our website.”

 • To register for the event please book at https://bookwhen.com/nepacsevents or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more.

 Details of all volunteer opportunities with Nepacs are on their website www.nepacs.co.uk