At POPS, we’re always looking for ways to support families and those in custody, creating meaningful opportunities for connection, wellbeing and preparation for the future. Over the past few weeks, several exciting initiatives have taken place at HMP Risley.
A Special Event for Those Without Visits
Not everyone in custody has the opportunity to receive visits from family or friends, and we recognise how important social interaction and wellbeing are during this time. Working with HMP Risley, POPS recently delivered another successful event specifically for those without visits. 58 prisoners attended the event in the Visits Hall and enjoyed a lively mix of live music, bingo, quizzes, refreshments and even the company of therapy dogs. The atmosphere was described as fun, relaxed and welcoming, with lots of laughter as people connected with new faces.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive:
- “I will be recommending these events to everyone I know who does not have any family contact. It has really lifted my mood.”
- “The atmosphere was relaxed, fun, friendly and welcoming. There was lots of laughter around the room and people interacting with new people.”
- “I have never attended an event like this before, but it was really great – one of the best things that has been available to me during my sentence!”
These events are a vital opportunity to reduce social isolation and promote wellbeing.
New Games to Enjoy on Visits
We’ve recently introduced a range of board games and card games for use during family visits, and the response has been fantastic. Prisoners, visitors and staff alike have shared how much the games have improved the visiting experience, creating a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
Following this success, POPS has purchased even more games so families can continue to share fun moments together. We love hearing your ideas and suggestions and will always do our best to make them a reality. Please keep your feedback coming—it helps us make visiting time as positive as possible.
Resettlement Visit Success
Preparing for release can feel overwhelming, and support during this time is essential. POPS recently hosted a resettlement visit for 25 families whose loved one is within the 12-week resettlement window.
Families and prisoners had the chance to speak directly with a wide range of support services, including Seetec, Ingeus, Employment, Mental Health, Achieve, SMS, Programmes, Wise Group and the DWP.
The feedback spoke volumes:
- “This was a great opportunity to meet with different agencies and find out more about how they can help both during and after release.”
- “It was reassuring to see that there are people who can support with release and prisoners aren’t alone during this period.”
- “This was a great opportunity as my partner often feels overwhelmed with information and doesn’t always know what to ask, so it was good that I could support him with this.”
This event was an invaluable chance to prepare for the transition back into the community, and we’re already looking forward to planning the next one. Keep an eye out for details.
At POPS, we’re proud to continue creating positive experiences that support both families and individuals in custody. Whether through fun, connection, or preparation for the future, these initiatives are all about building better outcomes together.