Are you OK with cookies?

We use small files called ‘cookies’ on imb.org.uk. Some are essential to make the site work, some help us to understand how we can improve your experience, and some are set by third parties. You can choose to turn off the non-essential cookies. Which cookies are you happy for us to use?

Skip to content

Be a prison volunteer in North West England

See current opportunities to volunteer near Liverpool, Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and across North West England.

Cheshire
Cumbria
Lancashire
Merseyside

What you need to be an IMB volunteer

Be over 18 years of age.

Live within 30 miles of the prison or immigration detention facility or a reasonable distance for travel.

Commit to around 2 – 3 visits a month (sometimes more during the induction period) and regular attendance at monthly board meetings.

You do not need any special qualifications or experience. We provide all necessary training and support.

Tips for applying

Cheshire volunteer opportunities

HMP Risley

Type: male, category C
Location: Warrington, WA3 6BP
Accessibility: visitors car park available

HMP Risley is a category C training prison for adult males, including those convicted of sexual offences.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Risley.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

HMP Styal

Type: female, closed
Location: Wilmslow, SK9 4HR
Accessibility: visitor car park, public transport and access by foot available

HMP Styal is a prison and young offender institution for women aged 18 and over. It also houses a mother and baby unit which can accommodate up to nine mothers and their babies.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Styal.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

HMP Thorn Cross

Type: male, category D
Location: Warrington, WA4 4RL
Accessibility: visitor car park and public transport options available

HMP Thorn Cross is a category D open prison for adult males and young offenders.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Thorn Cross.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

Cumbria volunteer opportunities

HMP Haverigg

Type: male, category D
Location: Haverigg, LA18 4NA
Accessibility: visitor car park available

HMP Haverigg is a category D open resettlement prison for adult males, including those who have been convicted of sexual offences.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Haverigg.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

Lancashire volunteer opportunities

HMP Buckley Hall

Type: male, category C
Location: Rochdale, OL12 9DW
Accessibility: visitor car park and public transport

HMP Buckley Hall is a category C training prison for adult males.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Buckley Hall.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

HMP Forest Bank

Type: male, category B
Location: Manchester, M27 8FB
Accessibility: local car park, public transport and access by foot available

HMP Forest Bank is a privately operated category B reception and resettlement prison for adult males.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Forest Bank.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

HMP Garth

Type: male, category B
Location: Leyland, PR26 8NE
Accessibility: visitor car park available

HMP Garth is a category B training prison for adult males. It is part of the long-term high security estate.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Garth.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

HMP/YOI Hindley

Type: male, category C
Location: Wigan, WN2 5TH
Accessibility: visitor car park and public transport available

HMP/YOI Hindley is a category C resettlement prison for young offenders and adult males.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP/YOI Hindley.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

HMP Kirkham

Type: male, category D
Location: Kirkham, PR4 2RN
Accessibility: visitor car park, public transport and access by foot available

HMP Kirkham is a category D open resettlement prison for adult males.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Kirkham.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

HMP Lancaster Farms

Type: male, category C
Location: Lancaster, LA1 3QZ
Accessibility: visitor parking and public transport options available

HMP Lancaster Farms is a category C resettlement prison for adult males.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Lancaster Farms.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

HMP Manchester

Type: male, category A/B
Location: Manchester, M60 9AH
Accessibility: local car parking, public transport and access by foot available

HMP Manchester is a category A/B training prison for adult males.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Manchester.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

HMP Preston

Type: male, category B
Location: Preston, PR1 5AB
Accessibility: local car parking, public transport and access by foot available

HMP Preston is a category B local prison for adult males.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Preston.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

HMP Wymott

Type: male, category C
Location: Leyland, PR26 8LW
Accessibility: visitor parking and limited bus service available

HMP Wymott is a category C training prison for adult males, including men who have been convicted of sexual offences.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Wymott.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

Merseyside volunteer opportunities

HMP Altcourse

Type: male, category B
Location: Liverpool, L9 7LH
Accessibility: public transport, car

HMP Altcourse is a privately operated category B local prison for adult and young male offenders. It is currently run by G4S.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Altcourse.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

HMP Liverpool

Type: male, category B
Location: Liverpool, L9 3DF
Accessibility: visitor car park, public transport and access by foot available

HMP Liverpool is a category B local prison for adult males.

Board members are expected to undertake around 2-3 visits a month and attend Board meetings, flexibility will be considered where possible to accommodate work and care commitments. You need to work well as part of a team, be enthusiastic and open minded, with the ability to make sound objective judgments. Candidates are required to live within 30 miles of HMP Liverpool.

We are not currently recruiting at this location.  Please register your interest and we will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.

If there are no opportunities in a prison or immigration detention facility near you, register your interest. We will let you know as soon as the next campaign opens.