People are being invited to join a life-changing project to support vulnerable children when family member is sent to prison.

For the last two years children's charity Barnardo’s has been working with hundreds of families attending the visitor centres at HMP Portland and HMP Guys Marsh near Shaftesbury.

Commissioned by Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, the charity aims to prevent innocent children suffering a ‘hidden sentence’ when a loved one is imprisoned.

Volunteers, who have offered more than 1,300 hours of their time to help so far, encourage positive relationships and promote children’s play, and signpost families to important sources of information and support.

Now the charity has been commissioned to provide a similar service at HMP The Verne, also on Portland, and hopes to boost the number of volunteers available at all three sites.

An open day is due to be held at The Verne visitor centre near the Jailhouse Café on Wednesday, October 9 from 10am-12noon, where people can learn more about the roles available and the difference they can make to young lives.

Barnardo’s volunteer co-ordinator Penny Fisher said: “Families often suffer their own ‘hidden sentence’ when a parent is imprisoned, suffering stigma, depression, anxiety and social isolation.

"Children can be particularly affected and sometimes struggle to understand what has happened, while the remaining parent can be unsure of what happens next and where they can go for help.

"So Barnardo’s provides a welcoming presence at the visitor centres so that children and families don’t feel lost and alone.

"We have a diverse range of volunteers, from teenaged students to people in their 50s, offering a regular commitment of just a few hours each week.

"They encourage fathers and children to play games and enjoy other activities together in order to strengthen relationships, and they signpost families to further support if needed.

"Research has shown that prisoners who maintain links with their families are less likely to reoffend upon release, so this is a unique opportunity to not only support vulnerable children but also benefit wider society.”

The charity says no formal qualifications are required, but applicants must be non-judgemental, enthusiastic and have good communication and listening skills. They must also respect confidentiality.

Experience of working with vulnerable children and adults would be useful but not essential.

Potential volunteers would need to undergo enhanced disclosure checks.

A full induction is provided together with ongoing support, supervision and training.

Call Penny Fisher on 07734 300638, email penny.fisher@barnardos.org.uk or visit www.barnardos.org.uk/volunteer