A NORTH-East charity supporting prisoners and their families has been given an award for its work with volunteers.

Nepacs, which has around 200 volunteers offering their services at prisons in the region, has been awarded the County Durham Volunteering Kite mark, aimed at making sure volunteers have a positive experience.

Chief executive Helen Attewell said: “We are delighted to achieve the County Durham volunteer kitemark as this recognises Nepacs’ commitment to supporting and valuing our volunteers, providing them with training, support and expenses to help them to continue to undertake this vital work.

“As Nepacs has grown over the years so to have the opportunities for volunteers to get involved in every aspect of our work – whether it be working at the frontline with offenders, families and children at court or in prison visit services, or behind the scenes to provide admin support or to help raise vital funds. We have volunteer roles to suit everyone.”

To find out more contact Tina Young on 0191 3323810 or Nepacs head office on 0191 375 7278.