A PRISONER charity is appealing for more volunteers to support the families of inmates at HMP Kirklevington Grange in its tea bar.

Nepacs, is also looking for people keen to play children alongside a family support worker at the resettlement prison for adult male offenders at Yarm, Stockton.

Staff and volunteers from Nepacs provide services to support friends and families of prisoners in HMP Kirklevington Grange, HMP Holme House, HMP Northumberland, HMP Frankland, HMP Durham, HMPYOI Deerbolt and HMP&YOI Low Newton.

Facilities include prison visitors' centres and tea bars, play sessions for prisoners' children and youth projects, family support services, a prison visits transport service and support within the Middlesbrough courts. Martin Crow, Nepacs operations manager, said: “We have a fantastic team of volunteers at Kirklevington, who run the tea bar in the prison visit’s hall.

“Visiting prison can be quite difficult and sometimes distressing, many visitors have travelled a long way to see their loved one in prison. Our team of volunteers work to provide a friendly atmosphere, serve cups of tea and other refreshments.

“We are always interested in seeking more volunteers to join our team. We are particularly keen to find people who would enjoy volunteering in our tea bar or working with children of prisoners alongside our family support worker at Kirklevington Grange.” No previous experience is required but anyone wanting to help out in the play area would ideally need childcare training and references would be required.

For more information call 0191-3757278 or email jblackett@nepacs.co.uk