Prisons Week (13-19 October) is when the Christian community, through individuals and churches are encouraged to pray for prisoners and their families, the victims of crime and their communities, those working or volunteering in the criminal justice system – including prison chaplaincies and the many organisations who are involved in caring for those affected by crime both inside and outside of our prisons.
Across the diocese, prison chaplains have a duty to help ensure people leaving prison have the support they need to transform their lives and signpost to charities throughout Southwark who work with and support ex-offenders, such as The Nehemiah Project
The Nehemiah Project is an independent charity working as a residential drug and alcohol recovery service for adult men, with five houses in South London. The project offers a home and support for men with a history of addiction to transform their lives.
Colin Matthews, Chair, The Nehemiah Project said,
“The residents of 47 Tooting Bec Gardens make it a pleasure to visit their home.
“Before being appointed chair of The Nehemiah Project, I had no contact with prisons, so I did not know what to expect. Residents are recovering from addiction, many having recently been released from prison.
“Nehemiah believes that everyone can change their life, and the statistics show that with support amazing things happen; lives rebuilt, hope restored, families reunited. I sense that support amongst residents when I visit, and the statistics become felt reality as I hear moving individual stories of transformation.
“Surely it is right for the residents and right for society that such people receive the help they need to recover their lives. We would like to do more, and to do so we need your help – prayerfully, financially, and perhaps by volunteering.”
Find out more and contact the team at Nehemiah at [email protected] or visit: www.tnp.org.uk
