Throughcare: Volunteer Support Service

Sacro’s Volunteer Support Service helps prisoners to cope with their situation by maintaining contact with the community and their families.

What does the service offer?

The service provides emotional and social support to prisoners to help alleviate the feelings of loneliness and isolation associated with imprisonment.

Support is provided by Sacro volunteers as an alternative to more formal, professional services.

How does the service work?

Sacro’s Throughcare Team provide volunteers with an initial eight-week training course.

Staff also monitor volunteer/prisoner contacts by means of regular one-to-one supervision and ongoing support by means of volunteer meetings. Prior to assigning a prisoner with a volunteer, Staff carry out an interview with the prisoner in order to assess the appropriateness of their request and to ensure that prisoner/volunteer are matched.

Contact can also be maintained by correspondence if appropriate.

Who is the service aimed at?

The service is available to all prisoners who are experiencing difficulty with the isolation from their families and the community.

How is the service accessed?

The service is entirely voluntary and can be requested directly by the prisoner or via a social worker or other professional.