‘Game with Mum & Dad’ is a global initiative led by Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE), following the model pioneered and developed by its Italian member Bambinisenzasbarre. Since 2015, this initiative has been used as a transformative tool to help maintain and strengthen the bonds between children and their imprisoned parents. Its broader mission aims … Lire plus

For the second year running, “The Game with Mum & Dad” took place at the Civitavecchia Correctional Facility (on the coast north of Rome) on 22 October. The event involved five imprisoned fathers and seven children aged between 7 and 13, who formed a mixed-gender team. Supporting this special event on the sidelines were mothers, … Lire plus

Start by reading Part 1 here 1 – (What we have experienced today) (Top bubble)  “When I am with him, I’m trying to make the most of every second we’re together.” (Bottom bubble) “I even passed a ball to him, he shot a goal, and we could celebrate together.” 2 – (What I’m looking forward … Lire plus

At the heart of ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ is the commitment to providing children with opportunities and spaces to express their emotions, share their individual stories and share their dreams about spending time with their parent in prison. Through drawings and other creative outlets, children are able to communicate experiences they may find difficult … Lire plus

Foldvik Familiepark in Stavem, Norway (© Kirkens Bymisjon) This summer, Kirkens Bymisjon, a Norwegian association and member of the COPE network, carried out a series of initiatives aimed at fostering meaningful connections between children and their imprisoned parents. This year, the organisation didn’t host in-prison football events as part of the ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ … Lire plus

On Saturday August 10 “Game with Mum & Dad” took place in the north of Scotland. For the second year in a row, COPE member NGO Families Outside hosted a football game  in a high security prison in Aberdeenshire. Sixteen parents in prison took part, welcoming fifteen children to the game. “Game with Mum & … Lire plus

On September 22, 2023, Alice Vévodová, the first female FIFA referee from the Czech Republic, (see here) attended the ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ event at Jirice Prison, Czech Republic. The event took place in the prison’s gymnasium, where 16 children and 10 imprisoned fathers gathered for a day of sports, art workshops, board games … Lire plus

Prisons are generally not designed as child-friendly spaces. Children who visit their imprisoned parents are often exposed to intimidating and harsh environments. However, regular and ongoing contact with a parent in prison when in children’s best interests is crucial for every child’s well-being. Prisons can evolve into more supportive and accommodating environments for families. This … Lire plus

GWMD in Novara Italy (© Bambinisenzasbarre) On the morning of Wednesday, September 18, ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ was played in the Novara Prison (Piedmont, Italy), thanks to the organisation of COPE member Bambinisenzasbarre. In Italy, ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ was organised for the first time in 2015 in Milan and has since become … Lire plus

On Sunday, September 22, the first ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ event in Germany took place at Bremen Prison, marking a memorable day for four imprisoned fathers and their nine children. The event was organised by COPE member Hoppenbank e.V., a grassroots association that supports prisoners and relatives. The gymnasium at Bremen Prison was transformed … Lire plus