Please can domestic visitors of HMP Birmingham follow the link below and complete this survey. The survey is only short, consisting of 7 questions. Thanking you in advance. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/52TNQXK
HALOW
(Birmingham)
- Contact Halow
- 0121 707 1008
Welcome to HALOW (Birmingham)’s website. The charity has a long history of supporting the needs or prisoners, their children, families and significant others in the Midlands.
Following the policy decision of G4S UK to take Visitors’ Centres and Family Services in-house, HALOW (Birmingham) transferred all staff and operations to G4S UK at HMP Five Wells in July 2023 and HMP Oakwood Family Pathway Centre in October 2023. Services continue seamlessly at both prisons and we know our former staff continue to provide all services to the highest quality under these new arrangements.
Our website will continue to provide some information about services previously operated by HALOW (Birmingham) at HMP Birmingham Visitor, HMP Five Wells and HMP Oakwood Family Pathway Centre, with essential contact details for visitors.
National Prisoner’s Families Helpline
The National Prisoner’s Families Helpline – https://www.prisonsersfamilies.org – offers up to date information through their website and Freephone 0808 808 2003.
Opening Hour: Monday to Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-3pm.
The Future of HALOW (Birmingham)
After careful consideration, HALOW’s Trustees have made the decision to wind down the charity. Over the past 30 years we have been recognised as a provider of consistently high quality and much-valued prison visitors’ centre and family support services, thanks to the decision, expertise ands loyalty of our staff teams and volunteers. More recently, we have been unable to compete with larger providers and now acknowledge our work in prisons has come to a natural end.
We will keep our website available as an archive resource for those interested in our history as a small, volunteer0-led charity delivering visitor and family support services in a prison environment.
We can be contacted by phone (T: 0121 707 1008) or email (admin@halowbirmingham.org.uk) if required.
Jane Bailey
Chair, HALOW (Birmingham), Board of Trustees
Keep up the good work ladies!
(HMP Birmingham Visitor 2018)
"Another brilliant day - very useful to learn first aid and good to know what to do if baby or anyone was choking. So grateful to be part of such a rewarding course. Great bonding time, thank you" (Jolly Tots Programme for prisoner, partner and children 0-2 years)
(Family Days at Oakwood)
Only been on two visits and both blonde ladies have been so helpful and I would be lost without this service. The staff are very approachable and I feel relaxed and can ask them anything, as I feel I won’t be judged
(HMP Oakwood Visitor 2018)
Really lovely staff who always have a smile
(HMP Birmingham Visitor 2018)
The staff are all funny and make it easier when visiting. The kids love it!
(HMP Birmingham Visitor)
All services provided are extremely helpful. Staff are polite, helpful and understanding. Keep up the great work and thank you for your support
(HMP Oakwood Visitor 2018)
The 'Family Pathway Centre' (visitors centre) was an exellent facility, run by the Help and Advice Line for Offenders' Wives (HALOW), who were available before and after visits to offer information, advice, and guidance and a signposting service to support agencies. There was a multi-faith room and children's play area, and refreshments were available. Access for visitors with disabilities was good.
(HMIP report on HMP Oakwood 2013)HALOW Case Studies & News
A family from the travelling community has been attending Homework Club at HMP Oakwood FPC each Tuesday evening for 12 months; within the family are two boys aged 5 and 3. The elder boy would enter the centre initially quite boisterous, running in and out of the play area, around the tables where people eat, pushing his little brother around on a
A young mother was observed with two small children. The eldest (2 years old) was seen to be running around, letting himself out of the doors, taking toys from other children and not responding to his mothers requests. The Children’s Worker (CW) talked with the mother and found out the child had autism – she explained he struggled wit
The Staff and visitors at HMP Oakwood Family Pathway Centre rasied a total of £253 during our Macmillan cake and coffee afternoons, “thank you for your support to a good cause”. for more information visit Macmillan’s website: www.macmillan.org.uk
Over the last few weeks, the children have been creating their own tree decorations for the HMP Oakwood Family Pathway Christmas Tree. Once dressed, the FPC tree took part in a Christmas Tree Festival at a local church near to Stafford. Over 40 trees were exhibited in the church over the weekend of the 2nd to the 4th December 2016. The FPC tree was
Over the past few weeks the children have been making and personalising their own stockings to display next to the Oakwood fire place in the Family Pathway Centre, create a warm relaxing display.
HALOW BIRMINGHAM is grateful for support from
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