We hear people talking openly about the stress this causes them , not only because they know they will not be with their families over the Christmas period and won ’ t be there to see the joy on their children ’ s faces when they open their presents , but also their feeling of guilt and shame that they feel for not being there .

This time of year tends to be a time of reflection for the people that we support , not just on the year gone by but on where they find themselves now and the circumstances which led them here . I would say this is not necessarily a negative thing , as it ’ s a chance to explore these feelings , sometimes for the first time . It can

also bring back memories from their own childhood Christmases , and feelings about how they want their children ’ s Christmases to be from now on . This can bring them motivation to address the reasons why they are where they are right now .

With all of this in mind there is the added pressure of the availability of substances . There is the temptation of wanting to block out these feelings and fall back on old ways of thinking – to ‘ have a day off ’ and get out of their own head , something which is explored on a one-to-one basis and in groups . It is still amazing to me how honest the people that we support are in expressing their feelings . It feels like ‘ we ’ re all in the same boat together ’. We encourage people to support each other over this time , to get together and talk about how they ’ re feeling .

In the run up to Christmas from 1 November the team get together and discuss Christmas and how we can best support people at what can be their most vulnerable

time . Every year , in the two weeks leading up to Christmas we attend reception daily and see everyone who is being released . We talk to them about harm reduction and how to keep themselves safe if they do end up using drugs or alcohol . We also hold a daily drop-in service on wings , which gives people a chance to come and have a chat to us in a safe confidential space .

We hold a feedback forum for people to have their say on how they would like to be supported over this period , and what they want that support to look like . The top feedback we have received every year has been to just simply sit down , share their feelings and to have a listening ear .

In the run up to Christmas we also hold support groups with no specific topic to be addressed . It ’ s simply to talk about what ’ s going on for people right now , and to share their feelings with their peers and gain support . This is where they tend to realise that they all share the same feelings of guilt and remorse at where they find themselves at Christmas . This

‘ Prisoners tend to realise that they all share the same feelings of guilt and remorse at where they find themselves at Christmas . This leads to bonds being formed and a feeling that they can support each other over this time .’

leads to bonds being formed and a feeling that they can support each other over this time . Distraction packs are also available for anyone who needs them – these take the

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