QAVS Award for Samaritans, South West Herts
On 22nd October David Cansdale DL visited HMP The Mount to ‘re-present’ the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service that had been awarded to Samaritans, South West Herts in June.
One of the outstanding aspects of the work recognised by the Award was the training and support given by Samaritans to prisoners at The Mount. A number of them are trained as ‘Listeners’ so that they can support any of their fellow prisoners who need to talk confidentially to someone – just as they might otherwise want to phone to speak to a Samaritan. Their work is much appreciated by the prison staff and by the men in the prison.
The Governor had arranged with the Samaritans that the work done by the Listeners could be acknowledged directly with them and, with members of their family and friends invited to the ceremony, it was a moving occasion.