StoryBook Dads
We continue to support StoryBook Dads in HMP Erlestoke, an initiative which helps parents in prison to record bedtime stories and messages for their children on CDs and DVDs. These are sent to the child and bring comfort to them as they can hear or see their parent whenever they
Read MoreSir Christopher Benson
We are saddened that Sir Christopher Benson, one of our longstanding Patrons of the Friends, died on the 21st January 2024, aged 90, after a long-term illness. He had been a Patron and supporter of our charity since 2012 and we are grateful for his support over the last 12
Read MoreNew Trustee Appointment
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Emma Leigh-Bennett who has joined our Trustee team. Emma lives in Wiltshire and has worked in education for 30 years. She is currently the Headteacher of Kingsdown School in Swindon. Emma is passionate about enhancing the life chances of children in and
Read MoreOur Founder, Belinda Southwell
At the end of May 2023, Belinda Southwell, our founder, ex-Chair and Trustee stepped down from our Trustee Board. The charity, as it is today, emerged from Belinda’s vision from 12 years ago when the charity was born. Its growth, development and successes are founded on Belinda’s passion to support the men of HMP Erlestoke and their families
Read MoreChange of Charitable Status
The Trustees recently reviewed our charitable status and have changed it from being an Unincorporated Trust to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). We are still a registered charity with all the benefits that brings but now, as we are incorporated, we can employ staff or enter into contracts more easily.
Read MoreNew Transport Scheme Co-ordinator
The Friends are delighted to announce that we have appointed a new Co-ordinator for our Transport Scheme. We feel extremely lucky to have engaged Les Drage who has a wealth of experience working with people and has top notch organisational skills. He has already launched himself energetically into the role
Read MoreWELCOME TO OUR NEW TRUSTEE
We are pleased to welcome Nick Crean to our Trustee team. Nick brings a wealth of experience to the Friends. He is Vice President of Contact, a charity which works with families of disabled children and also Director of The October Club, the City of London’s foremost annual fund raising
Read MoreWelcome to our new Patron
We are pleased to welcome Sir Charles Hobhouse to the Friends as our newest Patron. Charles has recently stepped down from the role of High Sheriff of Wiltshire. He has a long standing interest in criminal justice, particularly prisons and mental health and was a keen supporter of the Friends
Read MoreNEW CHAIR APPOINTMENT
At the end of the 2021/22 financial year Angela Hughes stepped down from role of Chair after 3.5 years. From 1st April 2022, Primrose Campbell, who joined the Friends as a trustee in July 2019, was appointed Chair. Angela has remained on the Board of Trustees.
Read MoreRobert Gordon Fundraising Event – “Shackleton and the Endurance”
Thank you to everyone who attended the excellent talk given by Robert Gordon in October. We are pleased that this finally happened despite several postponements due to Covid.
Read MoreLockdown 21 Auction
Thank you to everyone who bid in the Lockdown21 online auction which raised just over £2,300 and is a great boost to our funds. Congratulations to the winning bidders!
Read MoreNew Trustee Appointments
We are pleased to announce the appointments of Sue Weber and Charles Atterton who have joined our trustee team. Sue has a wealth of experience in managing accounts in professional service organisations and in the charity sector. Sue has taken over from Mark Mangham as our Treasurer. Charles is a
Read MoreTransport Scheme restarted
Our Transport Scheme restarted on Monday 24th August following HMP Erlestoke’s reintroduction of social visits. The scheme will run with fewer volunteer drivers as many have vulnerabilities to the Covid-19 virus. However, we are now recruiting for new drivers so that we can meet demand for lifts from prisoners’ families.
Read MoreWiltshire Life Awards 2021
We were proud to be one of the 3 groups shortlisted for the Wiltshire Life Awards ‘Community Group of the Year’ and it was an honour to come 2nd. Congratulations to Seeds 4 Success in Mere who won the award. Thank you to Wiltshire Life for selecting us for the
Read MoreFonthill Fundraiser Sponsored Walk
Thank you to everyone who supported our Fonthill fundraiser on the 26th September and thank you to all the trustees, friends and dogs who completed one of the 3km, 10km or 20km walks! We raised just over £2,200. The money will boost our funds in preparation for restarting and maintaining
Read MoreCartes Postales
Thank you to the array of leading and local artists, writers, actors and musicians who created over 300 unique artworks on postcards. Thank you also to all of you who purchased a voucher to win a postcard. The random allocation of postcard vouchers to postcard artworks took place on the
Read MoreChristmas 2019 Auction
Thank you to all who bid in our Christmas Auction and congratulations to those who were the highest bidders. The Auction raised just over £2,500 and will contribute to the continuation of our programmes currently running in the prison.
Read MoreIn-prison programmes and the Transport Scheme stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic
All Friends of Erlestoke Prison programmes within the prison and our Transport Scheme stopped as from mid-March 2020. We await further guidance from HMPPS as to when they can recommence.
Read MoreTwo New Trustees
We are pleased to announce the appointments of Eve McBride and Fran Bishop who have joined our trustee team. Eve is a semi-retired GP and will be overseeing our Transport Scheme. Fran is a Commercial Lawyer and will be overseeing our Origami Workshops and managing our contracts with our service
Read MoreTrustee Retirement
Judith Squarey, who has been a Trustee with the Friends for over 5 years, retired from the role at the October 2019 Trustee meeting. Judith worked closely with RECOOP (resettlement and care of older ex-offenders and offenders) and the older prisoner group in HMP Erlestoke and organised many speakers for
Read MoreBridge and Lunch Event
Thank you to those who joined us on Wednesday 18th September at Chitterne Village Hall to play bridge and enjoy a tasty lunch. The event raised a fantastic £1,900!
Read MoreJailbreak 2019
Sadly, due to unforeseen circumstances we had to cancel our Jailbreak event this year. We hope that we will be able to launch the event on another date in the future.
Read MoreNew Trustee Appointment
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Primrose Campbell who has recently joined our trustee team. Primrose has had a varied career in politics, education and overseas charity/voluntary work. She is currently Head of Classics at Godolphin School in Salisbury. Primrose will be the lead trustee for new Friends
Read MoreThank you to the Lions Club Devizes
Thank you to the Lions Club of Devizes who donated us £250 at their 2019 presentation evening. We were proud to be recognised as one of their chosen charities.
Read MoreSharing the work of the Friends with pupils at Marlborough College
Our Chair, Angela Hughes presented to 400 Marlborough College pupils to share the work of the Friends and to give some insight into prisons in England and Wales.
Read MoreComedy Night, Dinner and Auction
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Dauntsey’s School, West Lavington on Saturday 30th March for a joint fundraiser with Erlestoke & Coulston Cricket Club. Great night of food and comedy. The Friends of Erlestoke Prison benefited from a share of the profits based on ticket sales and we
Read MoreJonathan Aitken Talk and Supper
Thank you to those who joined us on the 11th March for supper and to hear Jonathan Aitken’s talk entitled ‘From Power to Prison to Peace’ at Sarum College in Salisbury. Over 70 people attended and we raised the fantastic sum of just over £5,000; this will contribute to our
Read MoreNew Chair Appointment
At the end of 2018, Belinda Southwell stepped down from the role of Chair after 7 successful years. Angela Hughes, who supported Belinda in founding the charity in 2011 and has been a trustees since then, was appointed Chair in November 2018. Belinda has remained on the board of Trustees.
Read More