A retired priest in Newcastle Diocese has been awarded an MBE for her work in founding a charity which supports ex-offenders.
The Revd Fiona Sample, CEO of The Oswin Project, has reflected on the honour, after being awarded the MBE (Order of the British Empire Medal) in the King’s Birthday Honours list for 2023.
Fiona, who lives near Belsay in Northumberland, founded the Morpeth-based initiative a decade ago. It became a charity in 2014. She was inspired to help break the cycle of re-offending after talking to prisoners and having learned that the North East had the highest re-offending figures in England and Wales.
She said: “I am immensely grateful to whoever nominated me. However, I do not feel the honour is solely mine, the accolade should be shared with my amazingly dedicated colleagues.
“Without them lives would not have been changed and The Oswin Project would not be flourishing and growing. Thanks are also owed to HMP Northumberland and our Trustees for their support and congratulations to all our Oswinners (as we call our clients) not forgetting my long-suffering husband.”
The Oswin Project offers second chances to ex-offenders through mentoring, training and helping them back into employment.
The project runs Café 16 at Newcastle Cathedral and has recently opened a farm shop at HMP Northumberland. The shop is open to the public and sells fresh produce grown within the Category C prison’s gardens, which the project also manages.
This new scheme will help to rehabilitate prisoners and reduce the risk of reoffending. Inmates will work in both the shop and the gardens, and will have the chance to gain the skills and qualifications needed to make a positive difference when they return to society.
Reflecting on her early days with the Oswin Project, Fiona said: “I volunteered my time and worked with one part time member of staff to give prison leavers second chances through mentoring, training and employment opportunities and raise funding.
“It was rather challenging. We now have 12 permanent staff, a Bakery and Café in HMP Northumberland, a Café at Newcastle Cathedral and a skilled and qualified team who work on restoration projects, landscaping, decorating and forestry management. I am pleased to be able to tell prospective employers that one third of our salaried staff are prison leavers. They are key members of our team. We practice what we preach.”
Fiona is also Employment Advisory Board Chair for HMP Durham - A national initiative of James Timpson to connect prospective employers with prisons to enable training and work in prison and grow connections so prisoners have a job on release.
Over the past year, The Oswin Project has helped nearly 100 people into employment or training. They have supported people writing CVs, disclosure statements, open bank accounts and secure housing.
‘Fred’ one of her colleagues who has a criminal record is delighted that Fiona is getting recognition for her work:
“Fiona is a marvel, her unwavering dedication and phenomenal work rate alongside her relentless kindness has created a dynamic, warm and supportive charity. It is a pleasure to work alongside her and we are delighted to see her honoured in this way. “
“I would like to pass on my congratulations on this well-deserved honour and thank Fiona for her decades of dedication and passion for helping to make a difference and transform lives”.