When her son was sentenced to prison, Pamela* found it very hard to deal with, and desperately wanted to talk things through with someone who had been through the same experience.  She called the Prisoners' Families and Friends Service Helpline, and was introduced to a volunteer whose daughter had been in prison.  As well as being able to listen, the volunteer was able to guide Pamela through the procedures involved in dealing with prisons - including booking and making visits. 

The volunteer brought Pamela to the Swan Centre to meet the staff and be supported by them.  Pamela became a regular attender at the centre.  She knew that the people there would answer any questions she had as her son's sentence progressed.

"I first found out about the Swan Centre through Victim Support, who I'd rung in desperation, to find out if there was an organisation which helped people whose family member was going to prison.  I too was a victim, in needing to talk to someone else who was going through this horrible nightmare".

They gave me the number of Prisoners' Families and Friends Service, who arranged for me to speak to one of their volunteers, who introduced me to the centre.

It was such a relief to talk to people in the same situation who didn't judge; just to be able to escape.  The staff are always very helpful and help me with any information that I may need.  They also do a lot of activities and workshops.

I am really grateful that such an organisation is there to help people like myself."

* Names have been changed