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
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Volunteering with HALOW (Birmingham)
Becoming a volunteer Commitment and expectations
Our commitment to you as a volunteer we will:
Always treat you with respect, consideration and appreciation. Ensure you know what tasks, duties and responsibilities are required of you, and give you the support, training and guidance to do them. Provide you with a induction, taster day, training and support throughout your time with us. Provide you with support through regular meetings which are held throughout the year. Provide you with fair, honest and regular feedback on your work.
What we expect from you as a volunteer:
Always treat all staff, volunteers, prisoners and visitors with respect, consideration and appreciation. To be open minded and non-judgemental To be friendly and supportive to our service users. To help provide a safe environment for all visitors . To help make the centre child friendly and welcoming.
Reliability and Commitment
It is very important that you are reliable and you stick to any arrangements you’ve made with us. If your circumstances change please let the Managers know as soon as possible. If you’re planning to go on holiday or you have alternative arrangement please let us know the date you will unavailable.
Suitable Work Wear
As a volunteer for HALOW (Birmingham) you are representing the charity HALOW (Birmingham). We aim to present a positive image to our service users and the prison. We ask that dress appropriately and suitably for the environment. If you are unsure what you should wear please ask a member of staff.
Enhanced DBS and Prison Vetting
HALOW (Birmingham) is involved in working with and supporting children, young people and vulnerable adults in a variety of ways. You will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check prior to volunteering within our centres. Furthermore, prison vetting is required dependant on the role of volunteering you choose.
Confidentially and Data Protection
This is vitally important. Volunteers must maintain confidentiality and Data Protection policies working with us. When you complete an application form with us you are also asked to sign a confidentiality and Data Protection declaration. This means that any sensitive information about our service users, prison information and charity is kept private and not discussed away from the centre.
Boundaries
Clear boundaries are important for all of our staff, volunteers and service users. It may happen that you have contact with a service user in a personal capacity. In this case please take care to avoid any apparent conflict of interests and protect yourself and others.
Security
Security is paramount in any prison setting, although the centre is not within the walls of the prison the security of the centre is as if it were. The security of the centre is in conjunction with the Prisons and Ministry of Justice security guidelines .
I felt very sad and despondent when I visited by husband in Stafford prison. The volunteer gave me time. She was a very good listener and when I left, I felt much happier and more hopeful.” “Those volunteers on the tea bar are so welcoming and friendly and make one feel at ease.” “My child loves the children’s area. The volunteers are so good with children. There is one lady who my child really loves.”
HALOW Case Studies & News
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.
One of our prisoners has a family of 4 children, two girls and two boys. The oldest boy who is 7 years old suffers from severe Autism. Before we took up our posts as children’s workers his mother told us that he would become quite anxious waiting to be called through for the visit. He would listen for his group to be called and would get anxious wa
HALOW BIRMINGHAM is grateful for support from
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