Celebrating our volunteers

Last week we gathered to celebrate the extraordinary people who volunteer for Pact. It was an afternoon filled with warmth, gratitude, and deep admiration for the people who give their time, compassion, and energy to support people in prison and on probation, as well as their families, across England and Wales. 

We were honoured to be joined by Lord Ponsonby and Lord Timpson, both of whom have long championed the importance of rehabilitation and family support within the criminal justice system.  

The annual Pact Volunteering and Citizenship Awards are always a highlight of our year, but this year felt especially poignant. At a time when record numbers of people are caught up in the justice system, our volunteers continue to show up - quietly, consistently, and with unwavering kindness. Whether offering a listening ear to a child in a prison Visitors’ Centre, supporting a family through the trauma of a loved-one’s imprisonment, or helping someone rebuild their life after release, their impact is profound. 

We heard moving stories about volunteers who have walked alongside people at their lowest ebb, offering hope and dignity when it’s needed most. We also celebrated people who have gone above and beyond - mentors, befrienders, and advocates - whose dedication has changed lives. 

To every volunteer recognised last night, and to the hundreds more who serve in communities and prisons across the country: thank you. You remind us that change is possible, and that no one should be defined solely by their worst moment. 

As CEO of Pact, I left feeling deeply proud and inspired of the dedication and professionalism of the people who give their time to volunteer for us.   

Take a look at a photo gallery from the event

Andy Keen-Downs 
Chief Executive, Pact