Seeds of Affinity: Pathways for Women

Seeds of Affinity (Seeds) works to reduce disadvantage and social isolation among women who leave prison and are about to embark on a new life. For over 17 years we have delivered a program in the community for women to help them navigate the difficult transition from prison to community. Seeds advocates for a pathway of action.

We work hard to address the trauma, grief and loss, anxiety and depression which can lead to mental health issues. These negative effects are made worse by the prison experience. Seeds encourages pride, hope and opportunity for women. We encourage women to become the best they can be. This is done by creating pathways to education, employment and training. Seeds of Affinity, through its bi-weekly community workshops helps build a sense of community for women who have left prison.

Over the last 5 years, we have also extended our work to incorporate in-prison visits. We have done this in various ways, including writing up and delivering a formal 10-week program titled Nearest Exit, we have run Bra Days, where we take in and fit women for bras we have sourced through donations [they are not supplied by the prison], we have run workshops to support the development of our innovative chatbot project, and we do weekly one on one visits.

The connections we make with women when they are in prison lead to many women attending our community workshops post-release, where we support them manage the difficult transition into the community.

WEBSITE