Did you know that Pact, the Catholic charity providing support to prisoners and their families, works in 11 prisons in the Archdiocese of Birmingham as well as in local communities?

We are a national charity with many strands of innovative work. For example, we offer online peer support groups for all those with a loved one in prison. Recently, we held our first in-person Peer Support Group meeting in Birmingham.

Family members can feel isolated and stigmatised. They tell us they can experience serving a ‘hidden sentence’ while their loved one is incarcerated. So, it was a wonderful day when people in the Peer Support group were able to gather in person for the first time.

Pact Peer Support Groups mean those with loved ones in the criminal justice system can meet others and share their challenges, walking alongside each other in a safe, supported environment. The groups are run online regularly and are facilitated by Pact staff and volunteers.

At the event in Birmingham, people told us how grateful they were to have the group's support.

They described the sense of freedom they felt being able to share the highs and lows of supporting a family member in prison with people who could relate to and understand their experiences.

Watch the video for a glimpse of this important encounter.

Peer Support Groups from Pact on Vimeo.

Pact is holding a Roadshow in Birmingham on 15 July to share something of what life is like for those in prison, and for their children and families in our communities.

Please join us at the Roadshow – to be opened by Archbishop Longley. Meet local Pact staff and volunteers, hear from people with lived experience. We will share simple ways you can help to restore dignity – and put faith into action.

The event is organised in partnership with Caritas and will include The Welcome Directory. All are warmly welcome, including people with lived experience, and ecumenical friends.

Book your place at the Roadshow

 View and download a poster for your parish or community centre: