The Welcome Directory is a nationwide list of faith or belief communities ready to welcome and support people leaving prison. It helps those transitioning from prison to find a welcoming, supportive and local faith community across England and Wales.
For churches, it’s a way to openly show that they are willing to support people as they take steps towards a fresh start, demonstrating God’s love in practical, meaningful ways.
We spoke to church leaders and worshippers from across the diocese who shared why they joined the Welcome Directory, and how it has helped them put God’s welcome into practice for those leaving prison.
Dave Clarke, Transform Ministry Leader at Trinity Cheltenham, said:
“As a group of local churches, with two prison chaplains in our community, we wanted to explore ways of reaching out with God’s welcome to all those in need of community and discipleship. We heard about the Welcome Directory and the impact that it has had on many prison leavers – as they seek a place to be at home.
“As we listened to stories of welcome and inclusion, our churches felt that they wanted to reach out and offer the same to others. We set up a group of people to work on this and be our prison ministry and welcome champions. We have had great training from the Welcome Directory team.
“I encourage as many of our team members as possible to get involved online and take part in a Welcome Directory course. It really helps us to see things through the eyes of a prison leaver. Sometimes chatting to ex-prisoners is helpful in understanding and exploring what it’s like for a prisoner leaving prison and wanting to join a faith community in the outside world. Are they likely to be welcomed? Do they feel like they can be part of your congregation? Do they feel equipped with this task?
“It’s also important for prisoners to have a freely available directory of places that they know they will be welcomed at, detailing helpful information about what services and help is available to them. Creating welcoming, loving and non-judgemental environments, where community can be found, where guests are acknowledged on arrival, to be known and loved, is huge in establishing an environment that reveals Gods love and kindness.
“By making our guests feel valued, and having a sense of identity and a purpose, we provide a solid environment from which they can grow and thrive in their faith in Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith, and the the rock who ultimately provides us all stability and strength, where we all fall short from time to time.”
The Revd Rick Williams, a member of clergy at St Mary’s Kingswood and a Kingswood PCC member, said:
“Kingswood PCC signed up to the Welcome Directory largely at the instigation of one of our churchwardens, who is a volunteer prison visitor at Eastwood Park. I was happy to endorse this, having run homeless shelters in the past in other dioceses, where many of our guests were ex-offenders.
“The PCC as a whole takes seriously its responsibility to show welcome and offer the opportunity to make a fresh start, as these are core parts of Jesus’ teaching and practice.”
Archdeacon Katrina Scott, who was rector of churches in the Benefice of the Guitings, Naunton and the Slaughters with Cutsdean and Farmcote before her appointment as archdeacon, said:
“All our churches signed up with the welcome directory, but we haven’t yet had experience of a prison leaver joining those churches.
“Nonetheless, as a group of local churches, with two prison chaplains in our community, we wanted to explore ways of reaching out with God’s welcome to all those in need of community and discipleship. We heard about the welcome directory and the impact that it has had on many prison leavers – as they seek a place to be at home.
“As we listened to stories of welcome and inclusion, our churches felt that they wanted to reach out and offer the same to others. We set up a group of people to work on this and be our prison ministry and welcome champions – this includes our Sunday Friends, who visit a local prison on a monthly basis and sharing in worship in the prison chapel.”
Alasdair Anderson
One of the Sunday Friends, Alasdair Anderson, reflected on the experience of welcoming prisoners in person and offering support in practice:
“Everyone who is part of our group of Sunday Friends has been surprised by the experience – an uplifting, affirming, and valuable time. It is good just to be with them, to listen to them, share jokes and frustrations, and importantly to be a familiar face outside the turmoil and stresses of life inside.
“We’ve learned how much concern some feel about leaving the prison system, and how they worry about continued faith support after release. The Welcome Directory could be a real help, and we look forward to being part of that response.”
For Prisons Week this week, consider joining the growing network of churches helping prison leavers find their place in God’s community.
Joining the Welcome Directory is simple; churches can register online, providing details of the support and services they offer. It’s an opportunity for your faith community to show practical care and welcome.
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