New Bridge

01/06/2026

We're kicking off this year's with an enormous THANK YOU to our wonderful community of who give so much time, energy and compassion to their befriending roles, making a difference to isolated people in every day!

28/05/2026

Peter has finished his latest review - of Sandra Camila's 'Ayyy Gov': Surviving the Prison Service as a Black Female Prison Officer.

Read his review at: https://www.newbridgefoundation.org.uk/blog/peters-70th-anniversary-reading-challenge

"The role of a female black prison officer came with many challenges as she tried to be herself in a male dominated environment. Talking to the men in prison, being friendly but not a friend, smiling and listening to break down barriers to gain trust and a greater understanding of the men’s needs. Her aim was to be more initiative-taking to the men’s needs rather than just being reactive, as was the norm of the culture on the prison wing. Quiet conversation not shouting, listening and understanding not control of rules and procedures."

22/05/2026

Anita, one of our lovely has taken on a challenge to walk 70 miles in June - one mile for each year New Bridge has been befriending people in . Thanks Anita! 😊

Could you share her page to help encourage her as she gets started?

This June, I’m walking 70 miles to support the New Bridge Foun… Anita Douglas needs your support for New Bridge Foundation. Tackling isolation and loneliness!

19/05/2026

Peter's latest review as part of his reading challenge is 'The Prison Doctor: Women Inside' by Dr Amanda Brown.

"These personal narratives offer insight into why people end up in prison, including domestic abuse, socioeconomic hardship, and substance abuse disorders."

https://www.newbridgefoundation.org.uk/blog/peters-70th-anniversary-reading-challenge

14/05/2026

"She is my beacon of hope. The light at the end of a dark tunnel".

Lovely letter received by one of our volunteers, showing what a difference their support continues to make 😊

14/05/2026

In 1956, Lord Longford witnessed the devastating silence in prisons.
Not just loneliness, but a complete loss of human connection.

• No letters
• No visitors
• Forgotten by all

He believed punishment shouldn't mean isolation.
Will you help us keep connections alive?
Share our fundraising page to make a difference!

70 years ago in 1956, Lord Longford founded the New Bridge Foundation after visiting prisons … Lucy Ball needs your support for Changing lives through letters

11/05/2026

Peter's latest book review is up! It's about 'A Bit Of A Stretch' by Chris Atkins.

"He does not excuse criminal behaviour or pretend everyone is misunderstood but he does force the reader to confront the truth: prison often warehouses society’s most vulnerable people instead of helping them."

https://www.newbridgefoundation.org.uk/blog/peters-70th-anniversary-reading-challenge

07/05/2026

Could you spare 2 minutes to nominate New Bridge for a donation via Movement For Good?

Just click below, scroll to £1,000 draws, click 'enter now', scroll down to 'Nominate a charity' and search for New Bridge by name or charity number (1103511). Select 'community' as charity type, enter your details and submit the form and we will be entered into draws taking place in June, September and December 😊

Nominate a charity for a Movement for Good award now.

05/05/2026

"My future looks good now thanks to the support from New Bridge" ☺️

28/04/2026

Peter, one of our fabulous , has taken on a challenge as part of our 70th anniversary celebrations, reading and reviewing a related book for each of the decades we've been people. He hopes to raise more awareness of the experience of imprisonment through sharing his reviews, the most recent of which concludes: "‘The Life Inside’ is more than a memoir, it’s a bridge between worlds often separated by stigma and silence. For volunteers of prison charities, this book offers not only a better understanding of prison life, but a reminder of the shared humanity at the heart of the toughest circumstances. It encourages readers to see people in prison not as stereotypes, but as whole people."

You can read about his efforts here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/peter-newbridge-reading

You can also follow his progress via the blog post, which is being updated with each new review that Peter shares: https://www.justgiving.com/page/peter-newbridge-reading

Thank you Peter ☺️

Help Peter Velvick raise money to support New Bridge Foundation