Prison leavers charity to start new mentor training

Community Chaplaincy Norfolk (CCN) is launching a new course in March for people who would like to train as mentors for prison leavers.

As part of its ongoing recruitment, the Christian charity is inviting new people to consider the mentoring role. Mentors can work flexibly according to the need of each individual. They help with practical things like benefit or housing applications, job searching, and volunteering, as well as providing emotional support. 

The training runs for eight sessions of two hours each and works in a friendly group atmosphere.    

Mel Wheeler, Community Chaplaincy Manager, said: “Mentors are at the heart of our work. Giving their time to developing a one-to-one working relationship with prison leavers can help turn lives around. We welcome people to train for the role, from all backgrounds and experiences.”

Chris Hull, acting mentor coordinator at CCN, has been especially struck by some words from a poem by Joy Harjo: 
 
“The journey might take you a few hours, a day, a year, a few years, a hundred….

“Watch your mind. Without training it might run away and leave your heart for the immense human feast set by the thieves of time.

“Cut the ties you have to failure and shame.

“Call upon the help of those who love you. 

“Call your spirit back. It may be caught in corners and creases of shame, judgement and human abuse.”

“We are all on the journey of life,” comments Chris, “and for some it is hard to see that it is a journey at all – for some the struggles overtake them.

“We have over 20 mentors from a very diverse background. It is a testament to the Community Chaplaincy that numbers continue to grow and very few leave the role. We still need more mentors to enable us to work with more prison leavers.” 

The course runs for eight consecutive Tuesdays from March 28 to May 16, from 2.30 - 4.30pm at Stephen’s Church, Norwich NR2 1QP.

Anyone interested in this role can contact Chris on 07706 348472 or chris@norfolkchaplaincy.org.uk to enrol on the course or ask any questions. You can read more at https://norfolkchaplaincy.org.uk/volunteering/

Pictured above is Mel Wheeler