 PAST EVENTS 2007 CHRISTMAS CONCERT We were once again delighted to announce that our Patron, HRH Princess Alexandra, attended our Annual Celebration of Christmas on Tuesday 4th December. Held at St George's Hanover Square, Sandra Rigby-Barrett and The Adventus Domini Choir gave us a evening of superb music and seasonal song. This year, the readings were beautifully given by JoAnne Good, George Webley and Reverend Alison Tyler. Jim Broadbent (Oscar, BAFTA & Golden Globe winner) gave our collection speech. The evening raised £3,310 towards supporting our befriending work. If you would like to attend this event or would like to be included on our mailing list please e-mail info@newbridgefoundation.org.uk or alternatively contact us on 020 7976 0779 for further information. 2007 VOLUNTEER SEMINAR New Bridge provides for the further development of its volunteers through an annual Volunteer Seminar, which focuses on specific issues relevant to befriending. The seminar, part sponsored by Safer London Foundation, was held on 7th & 8th September. The Seminar was chaired by New Bridge's Vice President, Professor David Wilson. The line up of speakers and workshops was as successful as ever. New Bridge aims to cover a broad range of subjects at its seminars and ensures that the speakers who take part are of the highest calibre; they are either expert within their field or ex offenders who speak frankly about their experiences within the prison system. 2007 ANNUAL OPEN MEETING Our Annual Open Meeting held on 24th May was chaired by our Chairman, Sir Peter Lloyd, and was attended by trusts, donors, volunteers, and like minded organisations. Chris Thomas, CEO of New Bridge, gave a review of 2006 with special emphasis on our new mentoring scheme. This year we decided to ask our volunteers to nominate those prisons where they have been made to feel welcome. Where volunteers felt that the staff treated them well, and where an effort was being made to ensure a pleasant visiting environment. Specifically we wanted to hear about which prisons they felt were positively embracing the idea that visits play an important rehabilitative role in maintaining family and social ties and act on this in a practical way by prioritising the visiting experience for all involved. Our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Sarah Matheve, presented HMP Grendon with the 'Best Prison to Visit Award' with special mention going to HMP Blundeston and HMP Whitemoor. Tony Slater, a long standing volunteer, was then presented with the 2007 Longford Award. This award was set up in memory of our founding Chairman, Lord Longford, who died in 2001. 'The Longford Award' is made each year to a 'worthy recipient' usually a volunteer who has shown special commitment to our work. After a short break we concluded the OGM with a question and answer session with the following panel: Farida Anderson MBE, CEO - Partners of Prisoners & Families Support Group Anne Owers CBE, Chief Inspector of Prisons - HM Inspectorate of Prisons Sian West, Deputy Regional Offender Manager - NOMS, Welsh Assembly Government 2007 YOUTH CONFERENCE Nearly 1,000 sixth formers from 30 schools attended our Youth Conference on Crime and Punishment on Friday 23rd March held at Logan Hall, Institute of Education, Bedford Way, London, WC1. The conference 'The Offenders - who are they, what happens to them?' aims to educate young people and make them think critically about the causes of crime and the way society responds. The feedback, year after year, tells us that before attending the conference they thought that prisons were like holiday camps - only free - but they now know that this is a view far from reality. The speakers included: Professor David Wilson, Inspector Tony Walker, Dr. Peter Bennett, Kevin Fegan & Pauline Campbell To donate now, please follow this link: www.bmycharity.com/new-bridge |