Norwich podcasts on rebuilding life after prison 

Hope after prison: out of the tunnel - is a brand new three-part podcast series about rebuilding life after a prison sentence from Norwich-based charity Community Chaplaincy Norfolk (CCN). 

Launched on October 30 – Hope after prison features ‘George’, who left prison with £76 (the standard release grant), Dot his CCN mentor and Abby who runs the mentor programme. It’s broadcast on Spotify and Amazon platforms to mark the charity’s fifth anniversary. 
 
‘George’ (not his real name) who we get to know better as the series continues, lifts the lid on the reality of life after prison. George, who has autism and dyslexia, tells listeners he chose the title, Out of the Tunnel. He says coming out of prison is ‘not as quick a fix as you think. Life after prison is difficult’.  
 
Joy Wylie from CCN, said: “In this series we hear how much difference a mentor makes. Dot, a former probation officer is his mentor, walking alongside him. She has helped by accompanying him to appointments, navigating the job market with a conviction, cooking and budgeting. 
 
“The series release couldn’t be more timely. Prisons have been an unusual focus of news and TV. This weekend Time BBC TV prisons drama (starring Jodie Whittaker, written by Jimmy McGovern) has kicked off a second series following its highly acclaimed first series. Jails’ overcrowding has also been headline news. 
 
“This is a warm and tender, warts-and-all listen.” 
 
Without the mentoring, being part of the CCN family, George chokes up, without the Norwich-based charity he says: “I’d have been back at square one. I’d have struggled. Fighting back tears, I’ve no words.”
 
CCN has vacancies for volunteer mentors to join the team, with the next training course beginning in January 2024.
 
For more information contact:  info@norfolkchaplaincy.org.uk  or see www.norfolkchaplaincy.org.uk
 
Listen to Hope after prison: out of the tunnel at Spotify or Amazon