Last week was National Volunteer Week, and we’d like to acknowledge our amazing volunteers who give their time, skills and experience to help prisoners change their lives for the better. They deliver activities ranging from literacy and numeracy sessions to beekeeping programmes.

At Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility, the Sewing, Quilts and Crafts programme is led by 12 incredible New Zealand Howard League volunteers.

The programme has run for 17 years. Each week, 22 women in prison attend the two-and-a-half hour class, with many continuing their projects in their own time back in their units.

Since Christmas, women in the programme have made over 300 handmade items – including quilts, knitted dresses, beanies, jackets, soft toys, and more – all to be donated to organisations supporting children and families in need.