I feel so privileged to be back at HMP Hewell with Helen Smith — and grateful to the YMCA for helping make it happen! After two years away I was a little nervous, but Helen’s built such great relationships across the departments that it truly feels like one big family. Hewell is like a town behind walls — I still manage to get lost, much to Helen’s amusement! It’s wonderful working with the prisoners and their families. Thanks to Emily’s lovely posters, applications are flooding in, and no two days are ever the same. We’ve been supporting families, running parenting classes, card groups, Storybook Dads, and family days. The work is full-on but always rewarding. A highlight was a recent email from a partner whose loved one was transferred. She thanked us for our support and said her partner was anxious because “there isn’t a Karen and Helen at the new prison.” That really touched us. We’re excited to welcome two new staff members and several volunteers to support our next project. In November, we’ll be running a staff training day for National Children with a Parent in Prison Day — themed “Hear Me, See Me.” The week will include activities with prisoners, like card and letter writing, ending with training to raise awareness across the prison. I can honestly say I love my job — and Helen is amazing to work alongside.
