What We Do

We support children and young people affected by the imprisonment of a parent, brother, sister or other close family member, along with the parents and carers looking after them.

When someone goes to prison, the family left behind often copes alone. Children can feel confused, ashamed or angry, and there is rarely anyone outside the family who knows what they are going through. We are here for those children.

Everything we offer is free.

One-to-one mentoring

A child meets regularly with their own mentor, online, for a session of around 45 minutes. It is their time, and a space to talk about anything on their mind, or nothing at all. Mentoring helps a child make sense of what has happened, build confidence, and find ways of coping that work for them.

Group sessions for children

Small online groups where children meet others in the same situation, built around activities rather than sitting and talking. For many children, it is the first time they have met someone else with a family member in prison, and that on its own makes a difference.

Support for parents and carers

Group sessions and short workshops for the adults at home. We look at how imprisonment affects children, what to expect, and practical ways to support them, including the difficult questions children ask. Carers often carry a lot without any support of their own, and these sessions are for them too.

Information and signposting

If you are not sure where to turn, we can talk things through and help you find the right support, whether that is with us or somewhere better placed to help.

Who we support

We work with children and families across England and Wales. Because our support is online, it does not matter where you live.

We are here at every stage: when a family member is going through court and may be sent to prison, while they are serving their sentence, and after they come home.

You do not need a referral to get in touch. Contact us, and we will talk it through with you.