When did you last receive a handwritten letter?

In a world of instant messages and digital noise, receiving a real letter—one penned by hand—feels significant. The time it takes, the thought behind the words. It speaks deeply of care.

Yet I know of 500 people who still write by hand today. They’re not writing to friends or family, but to someone behind bars.

They’re part of Letter Link, our simple but powerful programme that connects people in prison with volunteers who write them regular, handwritten letters.

One of those volunteers is Michael, who’s been writing to his pen pal for over two years:

‘The person I write to is in jail for a long time. We hit it off quite quickly, sharing some similar interests. Together, we’ve been exploring his Christian faith. It’s fair to say he’s become more committed to Christ. He was baptised last March and even shared his testimony with others in the prison.

This kind of transformation—slow, steady, meaningful—happens one letter at a time. Michael also shares with us,

‘Writing on Letter Link has increased my faith, too.’

Even volunteers who have never stepped inside a prison are becoming part of someone’s story of hope. They’re doing something deeply human and deeply Christ-like.

One prison chaplain recently wrote:

‘Thanks for the efforts you make to connect volunteers with the men. I hope there will be more from here who take part in Letter Link this year.’

There are many more still waiting—waiting for a letter that says: You are seen. You are valued. You are not alone.

Criminology research shows that personal relationships are one of the most effective ways to break cycles of crime. Our faith affirms that truth—we believe in a God who meets us personally and loves us radically. Letter Link is one way we embody that love.

Proverbs 25 tells us,

‘Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.’

We want every weary soul behind bars to receive that good news—through a letter, a gift to their child at Christmastime, a conversation or a prayer. But to do that, we need to train and support more volunteers.

Would you consider making a donation today to help us recruit, train and equip volunteers for Letter Link and all of our other life-changing programmes?

Your support will help bring encouragement, connection and transformation to people in prison—and to the volunteers who walk with them.

With my thanks and prayers,

Catherine De Souza
Chief Executive

P.S. Your gift today will help us train and support volunteers who bring Christ’s love into prison cells across England and Wales—through letters, through presence and through prayer. Every donation makes a difference. Thank you for standing with us.

Your gift helps us to support people in prison through the faithful presence of our volunteers and the delivery of our programmes: Angel Tree, Bible Studies, Letter Link, Pastoral Care and Prayer Line.

Thank you!

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