Prison volunteering

Prison volunteers nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by offering advice, guidance and support to prison staff and mentors.


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My time at Shannon Trust has been inspiring and I am grateful for the opportunity. The concept of prison mentors teaching inmate learners to read/write is effective and achievable within a complex and challenging institution. It is my pleasure to work with the mentors, as well as, other Shannon Trust volunteers and facilitators as the passion and enthusiasm is energetic and determined.
- Letitia, Prison Volunteer

Role commitment

As a prison volunteer your role will be at the heart of our organisation as you support our mentors in prisons. This will include delivering training to new mentors and supporting existing mentors to develop and deliver our Turning Pages and Count Me In programmes. You will be volunteering alongside Shannon Trust facilitators or frontline prison staff to empower mentors and ensure no one is left out of learning.

The prison volunteer role is available Monday to Friday during working hours and in line with the prison regime and staff availability. You will be linked to a specific prison to support as a representative of Shannon Trust. Typically, we ask volunteers to commit approximately 7 to 14 hours a month to the prison volunteer role, spread over 2 to 4 days a month and you will also attend quarterly area meetings.  

This is not a role where your activities can take place on a set day or time each week and prison visits cannot take place at weekends. You will need to be flexible and be able to visit your prison at an agreed time with staff, during the daytime, Monday to Friday

Prison volunteering recruitment dates

Our current volunteer recruitment round has now closed and will re-open again on 1 March 2025

Find the role for you

Prison Volunteering FAQs

What commitment is required to volunteer at Shannon Trust?
Is there a minimum age to volunteer at Shannon Trust?
I have access requirements, am I able to volunteer with you?
Do you provide transport to prisons and meetings as part of my volunteering?
If I live outside the UK, can I volunteer?
Will I need access to the internet as a prison volunteer?
Can I volunteer as part of my employer's corporate volunteering days?
I have convictions, can I volunteer with you?
What happens after I sign up to volunteer and fill in an application form?
Do you require a reference to volunteer?
What support will be available to me?
Will volunteering cost me anything?
Will volunteering affect my state benefits?
I'm interested in the prison volunteer role, can you tell me more about the administration and preparation involved?
How long does it take to become a volunteer?
When and how often will I need to visit a prison?
I’m interested in volunteering in a prison, but my local prison isn’t appearing in the vacancy list. How can I volunteer in my local area?

If you have any further questions, get in touch at volunteering@shannontrust.org.uk

Community Volunteering

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