Cathedral and Café Celebrate Five Years of Transformational Partnership
This month, the life-changing Café 16, located in Newcastle Cathedral, celebrates five years of creating opportunities for prison leavers and others involved in the justice system.
Café 16 opened its doors for the first time on 12 August 2021 – the very same day the Church of England cathedral reopened to visitors following its major refurbishment, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The unique café is run by The Oswin Project, a prisoner rehabilitation charity whose social enterprises provide people with real skills, meaningful work experience, employment opportunities and the chance to build brighter futures and contribute to society.
Café 16 offers training, support and employment opportunities, helping people regain confidence, develop valuable skills and rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose. The café follows the same model as The Oswin Project’s flagship Café 16 at HMP Northumberland and is named after the 1916 Royal Flying Corps station that formerly occupied the site of the prison.
The café serves delicious hot breakfasts and lunches, refreshments, and speciality teas and coffees. Its cakes and scones are freshly made by ‘Oswinners’ at HMP Northumberland, creating further opportunities for people to gain skills and experience.
Since opening, Café 16 has supported 64 prison leavers into employment and volunteering, welcomed thousands of visitors each year and become a much-loved community space. It also offers a delivery service and provides catering for events.
Fraser, who joined The Oswin Project six years ago, says: “Café 16 has given me the chance to prove myself and move forward. It’s more than just a job – it’s a place where I’ve been able to learn new skills, build my confidence and feel like I’m part of a team. Having that support and belief in me has made a huge difference.”
The café is currently enjoying a busy summer, welcoming visitors to the Cathedral who are taking part in the citywide Peter Rabbit: Tales on the Tyne art trail.
Café 16 also hosts a variety of community groups and, for the past three years, has provided the venue for charity Changing Lives’ free Christmas meals for local people experiencing homelessness.
The Revd Fiona Sample MBE, Chief Executive Officer and founder of The Oswin Project, says: “We are so happy that, five years ago, Newcastle Cathedral welcomed Café 16 into this beautiful space. They share our vision of giving people second chances. Café 16 shows what can happen when organisations work together to help people fulfil their potential. We are looking forward to many more years of transforming lives and bringing hope.”
The Very Revd Lee Batson, Dean of Newcastle, says: “Café 16 has become a much-loved part of life at the Cathedral. It brings a real sense of warmth and welcome to this space and has become a valued place for visitors and our community. We are delighted to celebrate five years of working alongside The Oswin Project and all that Café 16 has brought to the Cathedral.”
Café 16 is open Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 4pm, in the Cathedral’s refectory.
For the Cathedral’s full programme of events, many of which the café remains open for, please visit newcastlecathedral.org.uk/whats-on.
If you are interested in volunteering at Café 16 and supporting the team, please visit cafe16.co.uk.
