Big Give Christmas Challenge Campaign

Children with parents in prison need your help

Around 120,000 children will have a mum or dad in prison this Christmas.

Through no fault of their own, these children often face disrupted home lives, emotional distress, stigma and judgement in their community, difficulties at school, and social isolation. While many go on to lead happy and fulfilling lives, for others, the experience has severe and far-reaching consequences.

For over a decade, Pact has been calling for action for prisoners’ children. There is still no statutory safety net in place to support children and young people with a parent in prison. But we know that the right support is crucial in minimising long-term harm and helping them to thrive. You can help us to build stronger families and ensure that no child faces the challenge alone.

What can you do?

Double the impact of your donation this December.

Between the 3rd and 10th of December, Pact’s Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign allows you to double the difference your donation makes. Every donation we receive through the platform will be match-funded – turning every pound into two at no extra cost to you!

Your donation could help children like Max and families across England and Wales to keep in touch during their loved one’s sentence.

Max began getting into trouble at school when someone found out his dad was in prison. Pact’s family engagement team worked with Max’s family and teachers to support him and find positive ways to cope with his dad’s imprisonment.

Max began raising awareness in school about how it felt having a dad in prison, what visiting prison was like, and how difficult it felt to be judged for something not your fault and not in your control. The Pact team was invited to the school to speak to a group of children facing exclusion. They spoke about their work to keep children in touch with their parents in prison and even identified another young person in need of support.

Max is now a Pact Peer Ambassador at his school, arranging events for students with loved ones in prison. Pact continues to support him and many other families in the same situation by:

• supporting children and families to keep in touch with their loved ones in prison, making visits child-friendly and supporting families on their journey;
• developing resources for children and young people to help them process events and emotions surrounding their loved one’s imprisonment;
• helping people in prison to build healthy relationships and live good lives, and in doing so, drastically reduce their likelihood of reoffending;
• working with people in prison and their families to understand their needs and develop innovative services that help them make a fresh start.

The Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign will go live at 12pm on Tuesday 3rd December at https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a056900002TPWDuAAP?c=38801 

Any questions? Contact Chris at Christopher.Dunne@prisonadvice.org.uk