Full 1

Transforming lives through mentoring, training and meaningful employment

Since 2014, the Oswin Project has been breaking the cycle of reoffending by providing people with criminal records the skills, support, and opportunities they need to build positive futures in the North East of England.

Baking Out

HANDCRAFTED PIES WITH PURPOSE

Our range of pies and quiches is now available! Created in our kitchen at HMP Northumberland, Baking Out products showcase the culinary talents of serving prisoners who are developing professional skills. Our Pies use locally sourced ingredients and traditional recipes. By indulging in our pies and quiches, you’re directly supporting rehabilitation and second chances.

Find out more

Cafe 16 in Newcastle Cathedral

WHERE HERITAGE MEETS HOSPITALITY IN NEWCASTLE

Step into our welcoming Café within the historic Newcastle Cathedral. Cafe 16 offers a menu of freshly prepared sandwiches, hearty soups, vibrant salads, and irresistible sweet treats. We proudly serve bread and cakes from our prison bakery, bringing high quality products to our customers at reasonable prices. Every crumb is guilt free as you are helping transform a life.

Our cafe is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm

Find out more

Cafe 16 in HMP Northumberland

DEVELOPING CULINARY TALENT BEYOND BARRIERS

In HMP Northumberland, our original Café 16 is both a training ground and a thriving business. Here, prisoners gain industry-recognised qualifications and hands-on experience in cooking, baking and food service. The café welcomes prison staff and visitors, while making an ever-increasing number of products for external customers, creating a sustainable cycle of learning and production.

Find out more

Cafe 16 at Kier

SUPPORTIng construction at hmp northumberland

Opening Winter 2025. Step into our friendly site café at the HMP Northumberland building project. Café 16 at Kier offers freshly prepared sandwiches, soups, hot meals and delicious sweet treats to keep the team fuelled throughout the day. We proudly serve bread and cakes from our prison bakery, bringing high quality products to the site at reasonable prices.

Our café is open Monday to Friday during site hours.

Find out more

Changing the Cycle

REVITALIsING BICYCLES, REBUILDING LIVES

At changing the cycle we provide servicing, repairs, and quality refurbished bikes at affordable prices. Each bicycle represents both environmental sustainability and personal transformation, as our team members build technical skills and professional qualifications in a supportive environment.

The Shop is open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm

Find out more

Growing Out

LOCAL PRODUCE WITH LIFE-CHANGING PURPOSE

Our Farm Shop, opened in summer 2023. It offers a selection of fresh seasonal produce, plants, beverages and baked goods made by Baking Out & Café 16. Every purchase supports our work while providing customers with quality and affordable products, our shop is located just outside HMP Northumberland. In keeping with our zero-waste commitment, surplus food supports Amble food bank.

The Shop is open Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm

Find out more

Inside & Out

CRAFTING LANDSCAPES, STONEWORK, AND FUTURES

Inside & Out employs skilled prison leavers to deliver landscaping, decorating, gardening, and specialist stonework services across Northumberland. Our team combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary techniques. We balance commercial projects with community service, providing low-cost assistance to vulnerable members of society who need our expertise.

Find our more

Market Gardens

GROWING SKILLS, HARVESTING POTENTIAL

Within HMP Northumberland, our Market Gardens provide serving prisoners with horticultural training and therapeutic outdoor work. This nurturing environment cultivates both fresh produce and fresh perspectives, as participants develop practical skills and confidence. Set in the gardens, our workshop creates beautiful garden furniture from reclaimed materials, combining woodworking skills with environmental responsibility. Together, these initiatives supply our Farm Shop.

Find out more

Direct Mentoring

PERSONALISED PATHWAYS TO POSITIVE CHANGE

At the heart of The Oswin Project’s approach is our specialised one-to-one mentoring. This tailored support addresses the unique challenges each person faces, from practical hurdles like housing and employment to rebuilding confidence and self-worth. Through regular meetings, goal-setting, and unwavering encouragement, our mentors help navigate the difficult transition from prison to community. This individualised approach is key to our success in reducing reoffending rates to under 4%, compared to the regional average of 67%.

Find out about our Mentoring