NEPACS asks for people to give the gift of time in 2024
Nepacs is known for their work within criminal justice, having worked in this field for 140 years but they also reach out and provide services in the community, to children and adults from all walks of life including children, young people and adults with experience of living in care.
The charity, who has a team of over 150 volunteers, offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities, with something for everyone - including opportunities supporting families at court or impacted by imprisonment, roles within our children and young people's services and befriending roles for children living in care.
There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities supporting prisoners, or children and families visiting HMPs Durham, Deerbolt, Frankland, Holme House, Low Newton, Kirklevington and Northumberland – including roles within visitors centres, play areas, youth zones, tea bars and providing family support within the prisons.
Emma Price, Nepacs’ children and young people’s team manager, said:
“The impact of imprisonment or living in care can be extremely difficult and challenging for children and families which is why we feel it is important to support them every step of their journey. Our team of volunteers are dedicated to helping families and children across the north of England who are negatively impacted by a loved one’s involvement in the criminal justice system and we also have a team of over 45 volunteers providing befriending support to children and young people living in care as Independent Visitors.
“Nepacs volunteers come from all walks of life. If you are interested in trying something new this year and could give the gift of time we would love to hear from you. The time you give to supporting children and families makes a massive difference to those individuals and will also help you make a positive change in your own life.”
Angela Donaghy, from the Nepacs’ independent visitor service, said:
“An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who provides support and friendship to a child or young person 'looked after' by the local authority. This involves establishing a long term supportive relationship where the young person will have the opportunity to develop their interests, learn new skills and build their self-esteem.
“We are looking to recruit volunteers to support young people who are under Local Authority care in South Tyneside, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, Sunderland or County Durham, but also maybe placed out of their local authority area.
“You do not need any special qualifications, but we are looking for dedicated people of all ages who are comfortable with befriending and being a good role model for a child or young person who may have experienced difficult times during their childhood. We ask that you are able to commit to a few hours once per month for a minimum of 12 months. Children in care need that sort of continuity and ideally the relationship becomes a genuine friendship that will continue informally after the young person leaves care at the age of 18.”
If you could give the gift of time and make a change please visit https://www.nepacs.co.uk/page/become-a-volunteer or email volunteering@nepacs.co.uk to find out about volunteering roles with Nepacs in your area.
