News
January Prison Events 2012
Thursday, 19 15 2012 09:15
Every year, Proclaim Trust holds between 20-30 events in UK prisons, working in partnership with the prison chaplaincy. Although these are spread over the whole year, there are two specific months in our calendar where they’re given a special emphasis, and January is one of those months.
For the last three years, prisons in the South West of England and Buckinghamshire have been our focus during January. Each time we have held events in HMYOI Aylesbury, HMP Channings Wood, HMP Exeter and HMP Dartmoor. Each visit has built on the former. This year, in addition to these, Barry spoke at HMYOI Werrington in Stoke-on-Trent.
As in previous years, this year too was very productive. In total, there were 51 inmates who responded to the message of hope. There was also some engaging interaction during the questions and answers, particularly in HMP Channings Wood. Channings Wood houses two special wings – the Drug Therapeutic Unit and the Belief in Change Project. There were inmates and staff present from both wings at Barry’s talk.
One of the things that was really evident this time round was the effects that government cuts are having on the Prison Service. Since being implemented, one of the key areas they are targeting is to reduce staff, which effects the whole prison system.
Barry will be returning to these prisons in 2013.
The 'Transformed' National Front Leader
Tuesday, 06 22 2011 11:22
Over the years, there have been many stories of lives that have been transformed through our work. Recently, Barry received an email from a man who was impacted in 2006 after watching one of our DVDs. At that time, Steve was second in command in the National Front for the north of England. Here's his story, in his own words.
‘About 6 years ago, I became involved with a racist organization, the National Front (NF). During this time, I was also introduced to cocaine. Over the last year, I became the regional organiser for the NF in the North East, which pretty much meant running the party, along with the chairman.
On the 10th of November, 2006, I'd gone to work feeling the worst for wear. I fell out of a loft hatch, tore ligaments in my ankle, and had some severe bruising on my stomach. My sister rang me up on a Monday night to wish me a happy birthday and to see how my ankle was. A couple of months earlier, she'd left me a DVD by Barry Woodward.
The following night, she persuaded me to watch the DVD. It all became apparent: the drinking and the drugs, and the NF, were all attempts to fill the gap. I ran a bath and whilst in it, I recited the prayer that Barry had prayed at the end of the DVD. I lifted my head from the water and felt God's Holy Spirit in me, granting me calmness and joy where there previously had been hatred and loathing for myself and others.
Since then, with God's help, I've almost got the drugs beat and—what I think is the most amazing thing—caused the collapse of the NF in the North East. After six weeks of praying for guidance, I decided to write a letter, and resign my position at the NF. The chairman's response was 'No bother, mate. I understand'. Last Sunday, he phoned me to say that he had resigned and was winding up the North East branch of the National Front.’
In December 2011, Barry received an email from Steve that read:
'Hi Barry,
My name is Steve and I’m from Sunderland. I just saw you on Sky News and thought that I'd give you an update on where I'm at in my life.
I don't know if you remember me, but after watching your DVD, a present from my sister Sally, a little over 5 years ago, I became a Christian. I was an organiser for the National Front and I was heavily involved with cocaine, with my life going nowhere. You and I had met in Preston at Bethel Church, and again at Millfield Church in Sunderland, where you were speaking for a few nights.
Anyway, I’ve been clean for 5 years, I’m married to an amazing Christian named Joanne, and 5 months ago, we had a beautiful healthy son, who we've named *****. Eighteen months ago, I stopped smoking for good, which was by no means a ‘minor’ miracle. We are a part of a growing church called *****, which has over 250 people attending.
I really felt that it was important to give you an update on my life, as I'm sure you don't often hear from people that you have helped.
Keep up the good work.'
2011 Media Moments
Friday, 04 00 2011 08:00
This year, Barry has taken part in three interviews on BBC GMR (Greater Manchester Radio). He has done an interview on BBC WM (West Midlands). He has also carried out 12 consecutive BBC Radio Regional interviews, during which he was asked to talk about the death of Amy Winehouse and the need for more rehabs. He has also taken part in several BBC Radio 5 Live discussions and he has been on BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine Show twice. On one of these he was in the studio with Eric Allison, the prison correspondent for The Guardian newspaper. He was also involved in a live debate on BBC World Radio, and he has done a live link with SKY TV.
Barry has also done interviews on Premier Radio, Trans World Radio, and Revelation TV. The most recent was in October, when he was on Jeff Lucas’ and Ruth Dearnley’s Premier Radio Show, 'In Good Company'. This programme was pre-recorded and is due to be broadcast on Christmas Day.
Event Highlight - The Bridge CAP Event
Wednesday, 05 02 2011 07:02
Each mouth, Barry speaks at various events. One highlight from September was the CAP (Christians Against Poverty) event held at Barry’s and Tina’s home church, The Bridge, in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
CAP is a national debt counselling charity working through a network of centres based in local churches in the UK. The centre at The Bridge has a large client base and is run brilliantly by Anna Wynn and her team.
The Bridge's annual event draws CAP clients from all over the North West region, and other agencies attend too. From start to finish, the event was well organised by both Anna and Jeannette, the church’s events coordinator. There was a great buzz on the night of the event, and after Barry’s talk, 43 people responded. Each received a copy of ‘Once an Addict’, provided by The Bridge. Barry also did a book signing at the end of the evening.
To find out more information about CAP, check out their website at www.capuk.org
BUY1SEND2 - Help Us Reach Prisoners
Thursday, 01 05 2011 08:05
In 2007, we started a project to send a copy of Once an Addict to every prisoner in the UK, free of charge. To date, we have sent out over 30,000 copies; our aim is 94,000, which means we have another 64,000 copies to send out. We are asking if you would consider partnering with us.
Since the Prison Project began, the finances have come in from various streams, and we need to keep it coming in. That’s why we have started the BUY1SEND2 initiative. This latest idea creates a great opportunity where you can partner with us so we can get even more copies of Barry’s autobiography in the hands of inmates. For every 1 BOOK that is bought via our website, we will SEND 2 into UK prisons, free of charge! Originally, this offer ran until 15th of December 2011, however, because of the good response we have decided to keep in going until further notice. It would be really great if you could help us with this.
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