Voices Unlocked Ep. 12 | What Helps (and What Doesn’t) When a Parent Is in Prison

Email us at [email protected] this episode of Voices Unlocked, Liz and Lorna reflect on the podcast’s growing support before discussing practical “do’s and don’ts” for supporting children with a parent in prison. Liv shares how a handmade teddy from when her mum was in jail, letters, tattoos, and a “missing you box” helped her cope with ambiguous loss and anxiety, and explains how creativity like journaling, drawing, and writing can be cathartic. Liv reads her poem “Magic Wand,” exploring intergenerational worry, trauma triggers, and the child’s instinct to protect a parent. They advise practitioners to “go slow,” let children lead, and use the PACE approach -playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy - then close with “magic wand” wishes, including hopes for a UK government manifesto shaped by families’ voices.Chapters:00:00 Listener Disclaimer00:34 Welcome Back Update01:21 Fans Keep Us Accountable01:58 Scary Movies And Comfort02:35 Helpful Tips Setup03:09 The Fairy Teddy Story06:15 Missing You Box Explained07:23 Letters And Tattoo Memories09:50 Creativity As An Outlet11:41 Magic Wand Poem14:20 Protecting Mum And Boundaries15:52 Why Kids Hide Their Worries16:39 Kids And Guilt17:30 Journaling As Release19:25 Go Slow Build Trust21:05 Decompress And Masking22:08 PACE Training Explained22:47 Playfulness Acceptance Curiosity26:00 Empathy In Practice27:40 Magic Wand Wishes30:39 Closing And Next Guests