The New Bridge Foundation befriending service provides support for individuals serving a sentence by establishing and maintaining contact through regular letter writing and visiting.
New Bridge describes their befriending volunteers as a ‘community of committed and passionate people where everyone takes pride in supporting each other.’ All their volunteers share the belief that people are people and that no-one should be defined solely by the worst thing they have done.
Their befrienders come from all walks of life, various backgrounds and have lots of different experiences – they come from all walks of life, professions and languages.
‘In prison, with little or no contact outside, people often feel hopeless and friendless and as though there is nothing for them.
New Bridge befriending gives people that hope and optimism that there is a future. It helps people to feel valued and appreciated despite what they have done. It provides the chance to look towards living a life differently, setting goals and aspirations.
Through writing letters and visiting, New Bridge befriending gives a hand of friendship that enables people to feel connected and provides them with a sense of identity and belonging. Strong friendships have a positive effect on health – contributing to lower risks of physical disease and increasing self belief and self esteem.’
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