Timeline

1965 The husband of Lady Sylvia Chancellor's cleaning lady was sent to prison for fraud. The cleaning lady arrived at work in tears, because she had no idea where to go for help and support. In response to this, Lady Chancellor set up the Prisoners' Wives Advisory Service in the crypt of St Botolph's in the City of London.

1966 Lady Chancellor realised that many of the people she wanted to reach were unable to come to a centre - so she collected together a group of her friends who became the first home visitors.

1976 The National Holiday fund donated a caravan which meant that up to 20 families could have a week's holiday by the sea each year.

1981 A part time administrator was appointed.

1985 A part time Information Worker was appointed.

1987 Jenny Radford was appointed as the first manager of the service. 

1989 The name was changed to Prisoners' Families and Friends Service (PFFS) to reflect the fact that it was not only the wives of prisoners who needed to use the service, but parents, brothers, sisters, girlfriends, boyfriends and grandparents as well.

1992 A volunteer co-ordinator was appointed.

1994 PFFS moved to its current premises at 20 Trinity Street.  

Penny Clow set up the Court Project, initially in Inner London Crown Court.  A development worker was appointed to develop the court project and promote the service, and volunteers were recruited to work in courts.

1995 The Family Centre was launched, called the Swan Centre because of its location in Swan Street.  Initially it was open fortnightly, but soon began opening every Tuesday from 12 noon to 3pm.

1996 Lady Sylvia Chancellor died aged 95.

2000 The first Family Centre Worker was appointed.  PFFS set up the first national freephone helpline for prisoners' families.

2001 PFFS collaborated with Action for Prisoners' Families on a project for young people.  The young people produced a video, It Could be You. It also worked with the Leeds Animation Company to produce Coming Home, a video about building relationships after release, and with Islington Primary Care Trust to produce a booklet for grandparents bringing up the children of prisoners.

2002 Outlook, our service for the families of prisoners who have been released or are soon to be released. was launched.

2003 Action for Prisoners' Families launched its national helpline.  PFFS became one of the five call centres operating the helpline.

2005 Audrey Hyde-Chambers resigned as Director and was replaced by Alan Hooker. 

A review of the Action for Prisoners' Families Helpline decided that the number of call centres should be reduced to just two.  PFFS withdrew from the Action for Prisoners' Families helpline, but continued to offer its own freephone service.

2006 PFFS published Court to Custody, a booklet to help defendants and their families prepare for remand or a custodial sentence.

2007 PFFS celebrated its 40th anniversary.

A satellite Swan Centre was piloted in Hackney once a month.  However, this was not well attended and so with regret, we had to discontinue it.

2008 John Ingman resigned as Chair and was replaced by Peter Droop

Anne Dunlop won the Una Padel Award

2009 The DVD Families on Trial was produced.  PFFS launched new look publications and a new web site.

 

This short history of Prisoners' Families and Friends Service was prepared from Forty Years on: 1967 to 2007 by Anne Dunlop.   This book contains a more detailed history of the organisation.  If you would like a copy, free of charge, please e-mail your address to info@pffs.org.uk.