Family members with a loved one in prison face many challenges. Over the last year, in-person visits have been replaced by video calls and severe restrictions have imposed a strain on loved ones. Despite social visits being resumed in most prisons, some families are still impacted by restrictions and ongoing issues.

For some families of prisoners, visits can be extra complicated; the distance to travel to prison and difficulties using public transport can be a real source of anxiety. 

Earlier in the year, as visits started to recommence, Out There was contacted by a woman from outside of Greater Manchester who wanted to visit her husband in one of the prisons close to Manchester. During lockdown, the woman had suffered a stroke and the extended separation from her husband and the uncertainty of her medical condition had created significant anxiety for them both. The return of visits was welcome, but the prospect of travelling over 50 miles by public transport seemed an impossible situation for the woman to face. She contacted Out There in the hope they would be able to help.

The charity has on occasions supported family members having difficulty with transport to prison visits with support from volunteers. They managed to do just that with this woman in need. After the first successful, visit she messaged Out There to say what a difference it had made to her:

Out There is now working with colleagues from the women’s local Society of St Vincent De Paul to offer ongoing support with volunteers for as long as it is needed.