A story from one of our partner organisations working with prison leavers
Recently, one of our friends from a local partner organisation who supports prison leavers shared a powerful story with us. During a routine session, a 23-year-old man serving his second custodial sentence opened up about what helped him the most after his last release.
His answer?
“Matthew’s House. Just having a meal there made me feel safe.”
It’s these simple, honest moments that remind us why we do what we do. A warm meal, a welcoming space, and the chance to sit down without judgement can make a bigger difference than we ever fully realise.
That conversation sparked a new idea from our friend:
What if there was a regular coffee morning – just a small, informal space for men and women with convictions to talk about life, decompress, and connect? Not a public event, but something grounded and safe. Real people. Real conversations. Real hope.
We loved the idea. While time and capacity are tight, we’ve offered up the hall space just off our café – a quieter room where something like this could take shape. It’s the same spot where this idea was born, and it feels like the right place to start. There’s always coffee on hand. And maybe even some good grub too.
It’s a small step, but we believe in those.
Because sometimes, a simple table and a cup of coffee really can change something.