Olivia is the most recent team member to write a piece for our 'Staff Stories' campaign. As part of our small but mighty finance department, Olivia's work means close collaboration with the service delivery and fundraising teams. For a small charity where every penny counts, this is vital to ensuring we can make the most every single donation and provide support where it is needed most.

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I joined Prisoners Abroad in 2020, having been involved with a few other charities previously as a volunteer and as a supporter. I had a broad idea of the third sector and when I came across the job posting, it was the perfect opportunity: I wanted to work with a charity again to learn more and do more, and have greater flexibility with time.

As a Finance Assistant, I am part of a very small team (it’s only two of us) and my role is focused mostly on a range of day-to-day, recurring administrative and accounting tasks, such as managing accounts payable, processing invoices, recording receipt of donations and grants, reconciling bank statements etc, all the while making sure that the accounting system is kept up-to-date and accurate. I also run regular and ad-hoc reports to the service delivery and fundraising teams, according to their needs.

They may sound like typical assignments for a position like mine, but I soon came to realise there was much more to it than just numbers. Before joining the charity, I wasn’t aware of the conditions and needs of people imprisoned overseas and how daunting it can be for their loved ones as well, aggravated by any worries once they have left prison.

Now, despite not interacting directly with the people we support, I can see the purpose behind (and the ambition beyond) each ‘number’: postage for newsletters, a contribution towards an eye test and a pair of spectacles, venue hire for a meeting with family members, grants towards furniture for those moving into permanent accommodation, and so much more.

Working at Prisoners Abroad is both humbling and fulfilling, as small acts that may go unnoticed to most of us have immeasurable meaning to those they serve and the feedback we get shows the positive impact we make in people’s lives. The staff team is also a remarkable group of people, dedicated and kind, and it certainly adds to my appreciation of the job.

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Being offered a lifeline can change everything. 

Prisoners Abroad translates human rights law into practical life-saving actions by providing prisoners access to vitamins and essential food, emergency medical care, freepost envelopes to keep in touch with home and books and magazines to help sustain mental health.

Can you help to support our life-saving work by donating today?

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