Ashna Dev
Support my Vitality London 10k run for New Bridge Foundation!
Fundraising for New Bridge Foundation
Story
My New Bridge befriender is very encouraging and supportive. He is a good person and seems to accept that my crime does not define me. He has shown me that I am worth knowing and that I can achieve a better life. — service user
Prison is incredibly isolating, and many prisoners only talk about prison life. My befriender allows me to remain connected with an intelligent external perspective and a depth that is nearly impossible here. — service user
Hey everyone,
I’m super excited to share that I’ll be running the Vitality London 10k this year to raise money for the New Bridge Foundation.
As someone who works in criminal justice research, I’ve seen just how tough and isolating prison life can be. That’s where New Bridge comes in.
New Bridge matches people in prisons with trained volunteers who offer long-term emotional support through correspondence and visits. To befriendees, their volunteer acts as a link to the outside world, exchanging letters and emails that offer friendship without judgment.
Last Christmas, one of my befriendees told me how much it meant to get my letters during the holidays. He said it felt like everyone else had forgotten him, but my letters made him feel like he still mattered. Reading his words reminded me how powerful a simple connection can be.
Volunteering has been such a rewarding experience. I love writing letters and meeting new people, and New Bridge has given me a way to combine these interests with my commitment to helping people in prison rebuild their lives.
Your support, no matter how big or small, can help New Bridge’s dedicated team continue to support people in custody during some of their hardest moments.
Thanks so much in advance for your support; it means a lot to me.
Ashna
PS: Here's a picture of me enjoying a recent park run on a lazy Sunday afternoon! Running brings me so much joy and freedom, a feeling I know many people in custody miss deeply.
