Published date:
The cost-of-living crisis is having a major impact across society and has been particularly difficult for those who are already marginalised, like families of those in prison. Prison Fellowship NI runs a Christmas Hope Appeal every year to collect donations of food and toys to help these particularly vulnerable families.
In response to this appeal, Probation staff collected a large number of food hampers and toys to donate to Prison Fellowship as many realise the difficulties the families are going through as a number of prisoners are also Probation Service Users. In addition, staff organised a JustGiving page for financial donations to help Prison Fellowship.
Amanda Stewart, Probation Chief Executive said:
It can be financially difficult around Christmas, especially this year, and yet our staff did not hesitate to donate food, toys and money to the Prison Fellowship Hope Appeal. Our staff know that the families of our service users are some of the most marginalised in our local communities. This appeal provides support to those families through food hampers, books, and toys at a time when they can feel especially alone and forgotten. I hope this contribution will help those in hardship and make Christmas a little brighter.
Robin Scott, Chief Executive of Prison Fellowship NI, said:
The practical support received from Probation Board staff will make a real difference to the families that we support through the Christmas Hope appeal. Many of the families we assist struggle having limited support and feeling stigmatised and isolated. The donations from Probation staff is especially welcome this year, as we know everyone is struggling through this cost of living crisis. We want to thank Probation and all its staff for generously contributing to the appeal this year.
Notes to editors:
- The Prison Fellowship Northern Ireland details can be found on the website https://www.pfni.org/. Prison Fellowship NI is a Belfast based charity, providing spiritual, emotional, social and physical support to prisoners, released prisoners and their families.
- Probation staff who work on the front line with service users and their families include Probation Officers, Probation Service Officers, and Community Service Supervisors. Probation Officers are all Social Work qualified and registered with the NI Social care Council.
For more information contact PBNI Communications Unit on 028 9052 2522.