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At NCFE we understand the importance of education and lifelong learning. Education in prisons is vital in providing opportunities for inmates to upskill and increase their chances of finding employment upon leaving prison.

NCFE has recently been working with the Oswin Project to increase awareness and improve the education offer to ex-offenders. The Oswin Project came together in 2012 to improve ex-offenders chances of finding long-term employment and works in the North East to source paid employment and apprenticeship opportunities.

To ensure that employers and providers receive the maximum benefit from their placements, the Oswin Project also supports with mentoring and supervision. Current projects include painting and decorating, garden maintenance for residential and commercial projects and working with schemes such as the Northumberland Football Association on a pitch project. They’re also planning to open a café and bakery in HMP Northumberland in memory of the Royal Flying Corps based established on the site of the prison in 1916.

NCFE was first introduced to the Oswin Project when their CEO, Fiona Sample, came to NCFE to deliver a fascinating presentation on the power of ‘transformation’. Her inspiring talk gave our colleagues a fantastic insight into the project and the impact that education and skills can have on a person’s life.

We’re continuing to work with the Oswin Project and look forward to seeing the impact of their work on creating opportunities for those who otherwise wouldn’t have them. If you’d like to find out more about the Oswin Project please visit here: http://www.oswinproject.org.uk/

If you’d like to know more about our work with prisons or would like to talk to the team, please contact us on JusticeTeam@ncfe.org.uk or https://www.ncfe.org.uk/delivering-education-into-prisons