Giving Time Project Update

Community VISION continues to support the delivery of the Giving Time element of the AMICABLE research project (Addressing Mental health In Custody A Brief Learning Environment), which is currently taking place across seven prisons and community settings.

As a delivery partner, Community VISION’s contribution focuses on volunteering. We support the recruitment, training and ongoing supervision of volunteers who become Problem Support Mentors, helping to support their peers in prison through a structured problem-solving approach.

Working alongside prison staff and research teams, we deliver volunteer training and provide ongoing support to mentors throughout their involvement in the project. We also attend celebration events where learners are recognised for completing their training and receive a certificate of completion and a reference from the University of York.

The project also supports people as they transition from custody into community-based volunteering opportunities, helping them to continue making a positive contribution through meaningful volunteer roles.

Alongside supporting volunteers, Giving Time works with host organisations to promote inclusion and good practice in volunteering. This work is delivered in partnership with prison and community offender managers across a wide geographical area.

Early findings from the research indicate a pronounced and sustained improvement in PHQ-9 (depression) scores among prisoners who receive peer support through the project’s six-step problem-solving model.

To date, Community VISION has worked within three prisons and continues to support people and organisations involved in the project across a broad geographical area.

To find out more about the Giving Time project, visit: https://communityvision.org.uk/services/projects/giving-time-amicable/