Since March 18th 2020 The Oswin Project has been running Café 16 in HMP Northumberland. It is manned by residents and serves staff and anyone working on site. The residents, known as Oswinners, must apply and be interviewed to gain a place in Café 16. They receive training in many facets of running a hospitality outlet from hygiene to baking, food preparation to first aid.
None of this would have been possible with out the support of HMP Northumberland, especially the senior staff team who enabled our shared vison to become a reality. It was a long and not entirely straight forward process but well worth the effort because of the lives Café 16 is transforming, the skills being learnt, and self-esteem regained.
Working in partnership with HMP Northumberland enables the Oswin Project to ensure the right residents get the opportunity to work in Café 16, are supported and ,in due course, will have the chance to work in our second Café 16 in Newcastle Cathedral when Released on temporary license.
With HMP Northumberland we are building a bridge of opportunity spanning our two Café 16’s. We are bringing hope through rehabilitation and reducing re- offending, aims the Oswin Project share with the staff of HMP Northumberland. This is just the start of our partnership – we are already making more plans. Together, we are creating second chances.
