We’re combating isolation one letter of hope at a time
We launched Project Hope in the summer of 2020 after we heard about women in UK prisons being kept in their cells for up to 23 hours a day during the Covid pandemic.
We know that 2 in 3 women in prison have experienced domestic abuse and many are locked up before they are completely heard. So we write them letters, to remind them that their story is worth hearing.
That’s the amount of letters, cards and poems we sent off to women in prison in 2022.
Because we believe that in the wise words of Aesop, “no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
Prisons we exchange letters with
🏛️ HMP East Sutton Park
🏛️ HMP Downview
🏛️ HMP Peterborough
🏛️ HMP Low Newton
Can you donate Project Hope items?
We wouldn’t be able to do this without the time and compassion from our volunteer letter writers, and much-needed donations of paper, cards, postcards and stamps we receive. If you have generic pretty cards which are blank inside, or stamps, please organise a drop off by emailing valerie.williams@sateda.org !
Do you study at Kent University or Canterbury Christ Church University?
We now have special Project Hope letter boxes on campus at CCCU Augustine House and UKC’s Keynes Wellbeing office where you can deliver your cards and letters directly to save you postage to Fort Luton. Letters are collected 1st Monday of the month!
Are you part of a community or faith group?
If you’re part of a community or faith group, writing for Project Hope is a wonderful activity you can do together. If you’re local we can arrange to collect them from you, otherwise just send them down and we will send them on. For more info, email valerie.williams@sateda.org !
Ready to write some letters?
We ask that you commit to a minimum of 5 letters a month 😊
"Through writing cards and letters, through our words and colour or art we can give ladies hope that there is another life after prison. By uplifting them when they are most miserable or on the brink of suicide, it makes their day a little brighter knowing that they are not alone."
SATEDA Volunteer
“Although we don’t know each other I want to say thank you, your card has brightened what was a very lonely time for me, even though there is staff and prisoners around.”
Project Hope letter recipient at East Sutton Park HM Prison