A north east charity, supporting over 124,000 visitors to north east prisons each year, is seeking new volunteers to help support families and children impacted by the criminal justice system in the Teesside area.

Nepacs has worked across the north east region for over 140 years to help support a positive future for prisoners, their friends and families and has a fantastic team of volunteers working in all seven prisons and courts in the north east and in the community.

The charity is giving anyone interested in volunteering the chance to come along to their volunteer open days at HMP Kirklevington Grange near Yarm.

Anyone interested can come along to The Grange coffee shop (outside HMP Kirklevington Grange) from 10am to 12noon on 13, 18 or 20 October 2022.

There are a wide range of opportunities available at Nepacs, including court support volunteers who offer advice and information to friends/families of defendants at Teesside Combined Courts. Within HMP Kirklevington Grange and HMP Holme House volunteers are needed to help in the visit tea bars, visitors’ centres, youth zones and play areas. The charity also need volunteers to support their family support programme which helps the family throughout the time their partner/relative is in prison, and their Heading Home programme which works with the family and the person in prison to plan for their release.

Those that attend will hear about the different volunteering opportunities available at HMP Kirklevington, be able to chat to existing volunteers and if interested in volunteering they will be able to sign up for volunteering on the day. 

Taylor Matthews, Nepacs’ volunteer coordinator, said: “The impact of imprisonment on children and families can be devastating which is why we feel it is important to support them every step of their journey – from the courts, during the time their loved one is in prison and prior to release.  Our team of volunteers are dedicated to helping prisoners’ families and children across the north east, but we are looking for more volunteers to join our team and help us to offer the best support possible during what is an extremely difficult time for families.

 “Nepacs volunteers come from all walks of life. If you think you could get involved and would like to be part of a team who helps to make a difference to the lives of prisoners’ families please come along to our open days or find out more through our website.”

Please contact visitors centre manager Hilary Askin This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or our volunteer coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out more.

Details of all volunteer opportunities with Nepacs are on their website www.nepacs.co.uk 

Health and wellness habits slip during the summer (18%) with diet (19%) and forgetting to take health supplements (20%) some of the top factors disregarded.

Some of Middlesbrough’s newest arrivals enjoyed a day of celebration as they settle into their new homes.

The town’s first Ukraine Welcome Day was a chance for those fleeing the war in their home country to meet one up, enjoy some great food and listen to Ukrainian music.

The event on Saturday (Aug 20) was held at Stewart Park ahead of Independence Day in Ukraine which also marks the six-month anniversary of the Russian invasion launched on February 24.

Around 60 people attended from Middlesbrough, Stockton, Yarm and further afield and enjoyed a range of activities in the park, visitor centre and Captain Cook Birthplace Museum, including the popular venue’s Pirate Day.

Refugee STEP (Specialised Training and Employment Programme) Advisor Rozie Rafiq said: “It was a lovely event and everyone who came along really enjoyed it.

“It was a real success and they were all delighted to be able to meet other Ukrainians and make new contacts.

“It was also a great opportunity for the children to make new friends and speak their native language with one another.

“Our guests enjoyed the event so much that they asked when the next one would be.

“We are so proud of our Stronger Communities team and grateful to Stewart Park for organising such a wonderful event for our Ukrainian guests.”

Councillor Stephen Hill, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Culture & Communities, said: “Middlesbrough has been a City of Sanctuary for many years, and we are proud to offer homes and support to those fleeing war and persecution in their own countries.

“I’m delighted to see our new arrivals from Ukraine settling into their new surroundings, and extend them the warmest of welcomes on behalf of everyone in Middlesbrough.

“The Ukraine Welcome Day was a huge success and I look forward to future events.

Northern announces FLASH SALE with ONE MILLION tickets for journeys across the North of England available for just £1

Train operator, Northern, has launched a flash sale with over 1,000,000 tickets for journeys across the North of England available for just £1.

The £1 fares are available on bookings made online or through the Northern app, whilst stocks last, for travel between Tuesday 6 September and Thursday, 20 October 2022*.

Tickets go on-sale at 10am TODAY (Tuesday, 30 August 2022) at: www.northernrailway.co.uk

Mark Powles, customer and commercial director at Northern, said: "This is our way of helping to extend the summer holiday feeling by a further six weeks - getting people through until the start of the October half term.

"Whether it's for a weekend in the historic city of Chester, a night out in Newcastle; a day at the seaside in Scarborough or a walking holiday in the Lake District – these fares will get you where you want to be for less.

"Tickets are on a first come, first serve basis – so those looking to take advantage of these great £1 fares should book early to avoid disappointment. When they're gone, they're gone."

The £1 promotional tickets must be booked seven days in advance of travel and are only available online, via Northern's app and website.

The £1 sale fares are spread across Northern's nearly 2,000 services a day – with between 5-10% of service capacity up for grabs at the 'flash sale' rate. Some peak time services are excluded – as are those that are already expected to be busy in line with events across the region.

Northern is the UK's second largest train operator, with nearly 2,000 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.