Parental imprisonment is a recognised ‘Adverse Childhood Experience’ (ACE) with serious implications. Children with an imprisoned parent are 25% more likely to suffer from mental health issues including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. These children frequently suffer negative school experiences like bullying, poor attendance, and underachievement, and experience stigma, shame and social isolation within their own communities.

This project directly combats children’s shame and isolation by bringing them together as a community. Often, the Residential is the first time children with a parent in prison can talk about their experience without judgement, in person. We run activities that build their self-confidence and self-esteem, raise aspirations, and celebrate their skills and achievements. Via the friendships built during the Residential, children can know they have a support network of people with lived experience.