Having a partner or relative in prison can be a very isolating experience.  Some people do not have anyone to talk to about what is happening to their family, or they might be afraid that people will judge them.  They have a lot of questions and don't know who to ask.  They need a friend who will not judge them and who can be a listening ear as well as giving them advice and information.

This is what our befrienders and home visitors do.

We need women who live in the London area to befriend prisoners' families, either in person or by telephone.

What befrienders do (Job description)

The sort of person we are looking for (person specification)

Application form

The next befrienders training course will take place on the following dates:

• Tuesday 7 February
• Monday 13 February
• Wednesday 15 February
• Tuesday 21 February
• Thursday 23 February
• Monday 27 February

 All training sessions begin at 6pm and end at 8.30pm, and will be held at our Trinity Street offices. To apply, click on the "Application form" link above.

Continued Professional Development

We arrange evening sessions with guest speakers approximately once a month.  These sessions are open to our volunteers and also to prisoners' families free of charge.  Others are welcome, but a charge of £5 will apply. 

Dates for 2012 so far are:

• 24 January: Jeremy Corbyn MP. He is a member of the Select Committee for Justice, and will be speaking about sentencing, including joint enterprise and IPP.
• 22 February: Nina Champion, Prisoners' Education Trust who will be talking about education in prison - what is available, who can apply, what to expect.
• 13 March: Olivia Longhi: Family Liaison Officer, HMP Wandsworth, who will be talking about her role.
• 18 April: Clare Taylor, Haringey Women's Aid, who will be talking about domestic violence.

 For more information email chrissie@pffs.org.uk. or phone Chrissie Wild on 020 7403 4091.