Simon’s Story

My AFFECT Telephone Support Worker was a huge source of help and understanding when I was struggling to deal with my sister’s imprisonment. I constantly felt guilty for enjoying doing normal things while she was in prison. Although rationally I knew that she had made her choices and that she was guilty of her crimes, I felt that I had let her down by not being able to stop her. 

I became almost obsessive about being near my phone, worried that I would miss a call from my sister and not hear from her for weeks.  

My Telephone Support Worker was the only person outside my family who understood what it was like to have someone you love in prison. Speaking to her meant that I was able to concentrate on looking after my young children, seeing friends, doing voluntary work and training, without always being distracted and upset about my sister’s sentence. I was able to support my sister better, because my AFFECT Telephone Support Worker helped me to protect my own mental health and I slept for longer at night. 

I think talking things through with her also helped to keep good relationships with my extended family, because we all had different opinions and feelings about what had happened. It was easier to avoid getting into arguments, knowing that I had someone outside of the situation to talk honestly with.