Archive and Reflection

We will be populating this page with archival material and reflections on Books Beyond Bars UK, so watch this space for new additions. Please find below some links to copies of our newsletter from 2022 until 2024 and a collection of excerpts from letters we have received over the years.

Books Beyond Bars UK newsletters – 2022-2024

Excerpts and testimonials from reader letters

‘Being bisexual I would like to thank you for the support you give the LGBTQ+ community. It’s especially difficult for me and others I know in this environment and having people who actually care is a kindness.’

‘I was actually rather surprised to hear about Books Beyond Bars as I didn’t know such an organisation existed. It truly is wonderful to have a group of individuals such as yourselves helping those of us who can’t afford to purchase our own books or don’t have anyone outside sending us books or money etc.’

‘Thank you also for the newsletter. I’m very impressed with you and your team and your efforts are very much appreciated by myself and others that I know are receiving your books. […] I am confident in my ability to be independent and you and others have made a big contribution towards my faith in humanity and my self-confidence.’

‘Oh my goodness, I only expected one book if I was lucky enough to get chosen to receive any, but to get 5 really fantastic books is way better than I could’ve dreamt of. Thank you so so much. […] Lots of people came to see what I had had sent to me. Some were borrowed straight away, e.g. colouring book went to photocopier to form distraction packs as we’ve been on 23hr lockdown tier 4 so it will help the mental health of many on all wings. The Chinese brush painting was the first to be borrowed, as he had been given the brushes and paint for Xmas but had no idea how to use them. […] Thank you to you all and the hard work that you must do.’

‘I am so grateful to you guys that run this service and I’m so grateful to those that help to fund it. The simple acts of human kindness like this have been a key part of my surviving coming to prison and all that it entailed and my gratitude goes to all that take the time and funds to make this possible. I will continue to ‘pay it forward’ as I’m able.’

‘I devoured ‘Tin Man’ by Sarah Winman in a few days. It had me misty eyed and laughing out loud throughout. A really well written book that wasn’t on my radar before. It really helped me come to terms with feelings of shame associated with sexuality and parental relationships now. Reading LGBT literature really helps me to think through my feelings and helps me to understand who I am and what I feel. My whole prison sentence (and life) I’ve been coming to terms with my sexuality and the books you send really make the difference to my sentence, so thank you once again!’

‘Thank you all so much for the books and letters you sent during my time in prison. I would really have struggled mentally without them. You provide a valuable, amazing service for those without money or family to send books in.’

‘My books arrived yesterday, thank you so much! You picked out a really good selection for me. The Brian Cox book was a brilliant choice! I have started We Can Do Better Than This, already read four chapters. You really don’t hear these kinds of voices in the mainstream. It’s such a challenging issue that we forget still needs much more attention, not just in this country, but around the world.’

‘Many thanks for such an eclectic selection of books. All of these are spot on and will bring me much pleasure. There is much I miss about the natural world and the books you have sent fill that hole. Do please pass on my gratitude to those who donate, purchase, source and send them out. It really is very much appreciated. It is the first gift I have ever received in prison and have been inside for too many years.’

‘Our library is rarely open and even when it is, for those of us that work it is only open a couple of hours once a week if staff are available. Even then we only get around 5 minutes to find a book and get back to the wing so your books are a breath of fresh air.’

‘I’m glad to say both parcels have arrived safely – the original five-book parcel and the more recent one with the wish list book, ‘Giovanni’s Room’. I’d like to say a huge thank you to you and the team – to be able to receive free books while here in prison and to get specific LGBT titles without having to out myself in the library, it’s been a huge boost. The titles are keeping me engrossed and will keep me good for a little while 🙂 I don’t know if it’s possible to get thanks to whoever provided/bought the wish list book, but I’m blown away with the generosity and I thank them, and you, for allowing me to enjoy a title that has long been on my reading list. Keep up the good work – you’re providing a massively valuable service.’

‘Your service is truly involved in precious work, life in prison is constrictive and extremely divided (I’ve worn bras with more support!) but the work you are doing by supporting the LGBTQ+ community here is beyond my ability to thank, words simply do not cut it.’

‘Thank you so much for the books! I find it difficult to put into words how much reading ‘Straight Jacket’ is helping me right now. It is just so healing. I needed to read something like this for so long and finally reading feels like it’s setting me free to be my authentic self. Thank you for providing your service! Without you I may have never come across these books that I was so desperately in need of.’

‘What a wonderful thing you are doing for prisoners, rest assured that it does make a real difference.’

‘It’s good to know that there’s people outside that can help inmates get into reading and studying their religion, over the last couple of years I really did not take to reading but now I understand that it helps with all kinds of matter. […] I would like to thank you for all the opportunities you have given me to get into reading: I will always encourage others to get into reading as it’s really powerful.’

‘I wish to extend both my most heartfelt thanks for the enclosed titles, which no doubt will prove most useful in my upcoming studies, but also for your, and your donors’ kindness in providing the service that you do. It makes such a difference to us. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.’

‘I would just like to say that although you may not hear it all the time I know me and the other prisoners around the different prisons appreciate what you and the Books Beyond Bars team do for us, you will never know how much it helps with our mental state just being able to focus on something other than prison.’

‘I am writing to inform you that I received the books. Thank you so much for sending them they’ll come to great use. I think the work you do is amazing especially for prisoners that are unable to have books etc sent in. I was amazed at how fast they came. Thank you so much it’s much appreciated.’

‘I’ve learnt loads about myself inside. Accepted that I am bisexual and that’s okay – come out to the people around me (mostly done from reading your books you’ve sent me and seeing lots of LGBTQ+ on the TV etc.) I just wanted to say thank you to you guys at BBB – I really do appreciate everything you guys do.’

‘It is indeed sad news that BBB will come to an end as you have played a huge part in giving prisoners like me the opportunity to further educate our minds and give us a time of peace and calmness through reading books, on behalf of prisoners everywhere I say a big thank you Siobhan and Felix. […] Thank you for all your hard work for the prison community, may God bless you both in all you do.’

‘I’d like to take this opportunity to say a MASSIVE thank you to you and all who are involved, your help, support and kind nature has been a true lifeline to us in prison. The letters you would send with the books would be a reminder that we are still human and that there is care and support out there for LGBTQIA+ people in prison. Speaking from personal experience it certainly made me feel like I wasn’t alone, and that is something that is priceless! I wish you both every success for the future in whatever journey awaits you – once again, and always, thank you for what you have done to support our community in prison – your efforts and contribution will never be forgotten! :)’

‘Thank you for everything you’ve done at BBB. Your newsletters have always been a bright light in the dark of prison and your book reviews have led me to several great reads I would never have known about and knowledge of LGBTQ+ history (particularly trans history) which makes me realise how far we’ve come and how much further we need to go. I wish you all the very best for your futures.’

‘I’ll be honest I had never had any interest in reading or books but your charity has really helped me get into reading and sparked a passion for me that I’d never have.’

Books Beyond Bars UK, Registered company number: 11762572

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