James Ottley, from the Charity “Children Heard and Seen” (CHAS) gave us a talk about the organisation he works for.
He related how it had been set up Established in 2014, to fill the gap in support for children impacted by parental imprisonment.
With over 1,200 children and their families already supported, they remain the only charity in England dedicated to serving children within their communities by lending an ear to their concerns, and acting as an advocate for their voices to be heard and extending support to those who care for the child as may seem appropriate.
He related how it had been set up Established in 2014, to fill the gap in support for children impacted by parental imprisonment.
With over 1,200 children and their families already supported, they remain the only charity in England dedicated to serving children within their communities by lending an ear to their concerns, and acting as an advocate for their voices to be heard and extending support to those who care for the child as may seem appropriate.
Research shows 65% of boys with a parent in prison go on to offend and the focus is on raising aspirations, improving emotional wellbeing and breaking that cycle of intergenerational offending to achieve better outcomes for children, their families and the nation!
Of the 1,250+ children they have supported since inception, only five have gone on to commit an offence – a rate of 0.5%.
James related how, of necessity, mentoring and support moved to ZOOM during covid. This had unintentionally expanded their role from a local to a national charity. Whilst they had responded their main “reason to be” is not to expand into an ever-bigger organisation but rather to push for change at governmental level. At a time when prisons are overflowing, the relatively low-cost investment of breaking that intergenerational cycle relative to the huge cost of prison is a “complete no-brainer.”
They were proud to have gained a commitment to identify and support children with a parent in prison as part of the 2024 Labour Party manifesto and are engaged with ongoing meetings with the Departments of Education and of Justice to maintain the momentum on this issue.
James was asked a number of questions and received an offer of ’sympathetic consideration’ of any proposals to use BCC facilities if that might be of help.
Rotarian John Groves thanked James and related the “neat & nice” coincidence of James having attended one of the Children Singing for Children fund-raising Concerts and seeing children that CHAS were supporting “singing their hearts out” to help raise funds for children's causes. What better way to break that offending cycle?