Glen Parva Young Offenders Visitors Centre

The centre provides impartial advice to visiting relatives and friends

I feel lost – who can I turn to for help?

This is felt by many people who are visiting HM Y01 Glen Parva or to you and me Glen Parva Young Offenders Institute for the first time. The families, friends and love ones come from all over the country to visit their relative or friend. Some have been living with the dread of this happening, whilst others it comes as a complete shock. For some it isn’t a new experience. All need to feel that they are welcome to visit and are supported whilst they are there.

This is why we are looking for that special volunteer to help us to offer a welcoming, safe environment in the Visits Centre, which is reassuring to visiting families, reduces stress and worry, which will help improve the quality of the visit.

The Visit Centre is an important part of the prison especially to the families as it provides advice and help especially if it is their first visit, a reassurance that someone independent from the prison will listen to them and their concerns and be a smiling, friendly face in what is a very difficult situation. Are you that person?

There is an opportunity for you to visit the centre which is just outside of the prison before making a commitment we will be only to happy to show you around and allow you to observe. The visits take place every afternoon except Wednesdays.

Have you got a caring attitude, are you a good listener, if so we are looking for that special type of person who likes to help and make a difference is that you?

The Visitors’ Centre has been running very well, the families and friends are really happy with the support and guidance they have received from the Visitors’ Centre Co-Ordinator

Since April 2007 to March 2008 we have had 8,596 adult visitors and 937 children pass through the Visitors’ Centre.

4 new volunteers have been recruited to help in the Visitors’ Centre.

For Christmas the Visitors’ Centre and Play Area held a joint event where Santa gave out presents to all the children (presents donated by Table Top) and the children were able to have their photograph taken with Santa and then attached to a calendar made in the play area and given to their loved ones in prison. A raffle was held and cakes were sold and raised £56 for the Kill Cancer charity.

For any enquires please contact VAOW on (0116) 2810026 or alternatively email Voluntary Action for Oadby and Wigston using the address: admin@vaow.org.uk

Interested in Volunteering?

Please go to the Glen Parva Young Offenders Visitor Centre Volunteer Page