Our history in prisons

Spurgeons has recently won some large contracts to deliver Visitors' Centres. We won these bids because of our exceptional reputation in delivering outcomes for children and the wider family.

Our history

Spurgeons started work with HMP Wellingborough Prison in 1999, providing a supervised play area facility for visitors and children whose relatives were in custody at the Prison. A dedicated area in the prison was set up to allow children access to the prisoner during visiting times, whilst providing a safe and stimulating play provision, staffed by trained staff and volunteers.

The project’s purpose and philosophy was:

• to provide a high standard of care for children visiting relatives in custody at Wellingborough Prison
• to organise and provide activities that will stimulate and interest the children whilst visiting the Supervised Play Area
• to provide reassurance for mothers and other carers visiting the prison that their children are well cared for
• to provide a supportive service to Prison staff managing the visiting arrangements at Wellingborough Prison

Spurgeons provided 5 sessions per week, including Saturday and Sunday. Staff were recruited jointly by Spurgeons and Wellingborough Prison. The Prison provided the toys and other equipment.

This contract ran from 1^st October 1999 to 30^th September 2005.

Spurgeons also ran a project at Bedford Prison, called Ormiston Children and Families Trust ‘Time for Families’ HMP Bedford. There were 2, one year contracts from 1^st April 2005 – 31^st March 2006 and from 1^st April 2006 – 31^st March 2007.

Spurgeons provided two qualified play care staff to work with children in the play care area of HMP Bedford visits hall on Saturdays and Sundays.

The project’s purpose was:

• to provide a play care area to provide a positive diversion for children during the one hour visit sessions
• to provide a sense of normality and an opportunity to participate in enjoyable and stimulating play and craft activities
• to provide an opportunity for visiting adults to talk in private
• allow children to benefit from contact with their family member, whilst being able to choose to move away from the fixed table setting to participate in play and craft activities
• provide an opportunity for adult visitors to seek information and support which will be passed on to Ormiston staff within the Visitors Centre to action