The Isle of Man Prison is working in partnership with local organisations to support some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

Vegetables grown in the prison garden and polytunnel are being used to make warm and nourishing soup for people who visit homeless charity Graih.

Graih operates a drop-in centre on Broadway in Douglas providing hot food, a place to socialise and somewhere to sleep at night on an emergency basis.

Prisoners are helping to turn some of the fresh vegetables grown at Jurby into soup which is then chilled and delivered to Graih once a fortnight on a Friday evening. Onchan Rotary Club has also stepped in to support the initiative by donating a new cauldron to reheat the soup ready for serving.

Michael Coleman MLC, Member of Home Affairs with responsibility for the Prison and Probation Service, said: ‘It is always good to see prisoners making a positive contribution to the local community through their charitable efforts. Two tonnes of vegetables are grown at the prison each year, which helps to save money and ensure a healthy diet is available for prisoners. It is good to see the prison putting its home-grown produce to further use by joining forces with Onchan Rotary Club and Graih.’

Kenny Best, Chairman and volunteer at Graih, added: ‘We are very grateful for the support provided by the Prison and Probation Service and Onchan Rotary Club. Our service users feel the benefits of a hot meal, particularly at this time of year, and the soup has been very well received.’

(Standing, left – right) Colin Ring, Onchan Rotary Club, Mike Speers, Principal Officer Isle of Man Prison (seated, left – right) Peter Thompson, President of Onchan Rotary Club, Kenny Best, Chairman and volunteer at Graih.