19 May 2008 - Age Concern Older Offenders Project

Age Concern Older Offenders Project (ACOOP) aims to offer social care, advice and support to older offenders and their families, both in prison and within the wider criminal justice system at Channings Wood and Dartmoor Prisons. 

About volunteering for ACOOP:

Volunteers are needed to support every aspect of this work.  An initial community based  two day training course will be provided for all volunteers, including subjects such as personal health and safety and risk management, confidentiality and disclosure and data protection.   An optional third day will provide training in chair based exercise, provided by a specialist trainer.

All volunteers will be individually interviewed, a Criminal Records Bureau check will be required, and acceptance as a volunteer will not be automatic.

The participating prisons will provide training on working safely within a prison environment.  Depending on volunteer’s level of availability and interest this will last up to a week. 

There are a number of interesting opportunities available for volunteers, including:

• Organising groupwork
• Facilitating discussion groups
• Supporting bookgroups (identified by prisoners as this provides activity beyond the actual ACOOP session)