Communities Fund has provided £1,010 of match funding
Out There - Supporting the Families of Prisoners
Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
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Aim
Out There is a vital charity under threat of closure due to a reduction in mainstream funding availability - Help Save Out There
The Hidden Sentence
When someone goes to prison, a hidden sentence begins for their family; their children, partners, parents, siblings, grandparents and carers.
Overnight, lives are overturned. Household income can disappear, bills still need paying, debt can quickly build up, and the costs of maintaining contact with a loved one in prison can become overwhelming. Financial crisis, confusion and deep isolation can set in. Families are left navigating a life they never expected to face, shouldering the worry and hardship, often in silence.
Innocent children grow up frightened and confused, weighed down by unfair stigma and judged for a crime they didn't commit.
When a family's world falls apart, in crisis and sometimes for years afterwards, somebody has to be there to help pick up the pieces.
"I feel me and my children would not have got through the trauma if it wasn't for the team at Out There."- Parent supported by Out There
For 20 years, across Greater Manchester, that somebody has been Out There.
We provide free, confidential and non-judgemental support to parents, carers and children navigating one of the most challenging and isolating experiences a family can face.
For many families, imprisonment creates not only emotional trauma but also serious financial uncertainty. Through our support, families can access practical help, emergency assistance, welfare support, specialist services and guidance that helps them maintain stability during an incredibly difficult period of their lives.
"Really nice people who have been a massive support while my son has been in prison. I've not had much support from anyone else and I don't know what I would have done without Out There. It's not just the practical support, like helping me get a cooker, it's also the emotional support of having someone listen and not judge."- Parent supported by Out There
Right now, in our 20th anniversary year, Greater Manchester is about to lose that lifeline forever.
Despite government bodies openly admitting our work is crucial, funding has dried up, leaving us in a position where we must urgently raise £30,000 by the end of October to keep our operations going.
If we fail, Out There will be forced to close permanently before Christmas; one of the most challenging times of the year for the families we support.
There is no backup plan.
What Happens If We Close?
Children will suffer in silence
Our in-school emotional support ends, leaving traumatised young people to navigate fear, stigma and uncertainty without specialist support.
Parents will sink further into crisis
Our one-to-one casework stops, leaving households facing financial hardship, benefit issues, debt concerns and family crises with nowhere to turn for practical help, advocacy or emotional support.
Families will become increasingly isolated
Our peer support groups, Family Fridays and holiday activities disappear, stripping families of safe, judgement-free spaces where they can connect with others who understand their experiences.
"I thought no one would understand what it was like for me and my children to have my partner, their dad, in prison for life, but Out There did. They were there through all the bad times with advice and care for me and my children."- Parent supported by Out There
No other organisation in Greater Manchester does this work.
No one else can offer the same combination of emotional, practical and community-based support specifically for families affected by imprisonment.
Without Out There, children, parents and carers will lose a trusted source of support that helps them navigate hardship, cope with the impact of imprisonment and rebuild stability in their lives.
What Your Support Makes Possible
Every day, we work alongside families experiencing some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
One woman came to Out There while her husband was serving a prison sentence. He had previously been her main carer and both had health issues and disabilities. She was struggling emotionally and was anxious about how she would manage financially when he was released.
Our team supported her to ensure changes in circumstances were reflected correctly in her benefit claims, including Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment. We provided emotional support throughout the process, helped her prepare for probation visits, and connected her with peer support through our Family Friday group.
With guidance and practical support, the issues that had been causing significant worry were resolved, helping her feel more confident and prepared for her husband's return home.
In another case, we supported a family facing significant pressures following a loved one's imprisonment. Through home visits, ongoing emotional support, specialist support for their child, foodbank vouchers and referrals to affordable food schemes, we helped ensure the family had somewhere to turn during a period of crisis.
For many families, these interventions make the difference between coping and reaching breaking point.
Every Pound Makes A Difference
Every pound donated goes directly towards supporting families across Greater Manchester.
- £32 funds a month of stationery and activity resources for our work with children.
- £120 funds a monthly Family Friday peer-support gathering for isolated adults.
- £500 funds a half-term day trip to a local activity centre for 30 children.
- £1,334 funds the running of our community hub for an entire month.
- £2,400 funds a summer trip, giving 70 family members a vital day of relief.
- £3,338 safeguards our specialist frontline children and young people workers for a whole month.
Voices From The Families We Support
"Out There have helped me to understand the prison and how they operate. I was taken through and literally accompanied on my first prison visit. I was so anxious about the process and the help with understanding how to approach it was invaluable."- Family member supported by Out There
"Hi. Just wanted to let you know I've just had the washing machine delivered and plumbed in! I can't tell you how delighted I am and I want to thank you for your help in getting it for me. I knew nothing about being able to receive such help. You are brilliant at your job. I appreciate it big time." - Parent supported by Out There
Help Us Keep The Lifeline Alive
For 20 years, Out There has ensured local people are not forced to navigate the hidden sentence of familial imprisonment alone.
We cannot leave these families unsupported.
But we cannot continue delivering these vital services without urgent help from our community.
Whether you can make a personal donation, organise a workplace fundraiser, introduce us to a corporate partner, sponsor an activity, or simply share our campaign, your support could help secure the future of Out There and the families who depend on us.
Together, we can ensure that children, parents and carers facing the hidden sentence of imprisonment do not have to face it alone.
To support our emergency appeal, please visit our website (www.outtherecharity.org) or contact us at [email protected]
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 26th November 2026 at 10:53am