A mum-of-four who was convicted of drug smuggling revealed how her life has been transformed thanks to a second chance at a chefs’ academy and restaurant.
Johanne O’Riordan, 38, was speaking to North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick CB QC during a visit to the pioneering Oyster Catcher restaurant in Rhosneigr, on Anglesey.
The Jamie-Oliver style project was established by John Timpson, Chairman of Timpson shoe repair and key-making chain of shops.
Mr Roddick called to see for himself the difference the project is making to young lives and how former offenders are benefiting from being given employment opportunities.
General Manager Mark Bayley explained how the Timpson Foundation goes into prisons and interviews inmates with a view to giving them a chance of employment as part of the process of rehabilitation.
He said: “It’s about trust and they have to complete a three month probationary period. However, I have to say some of my best work colleagues are former offenders.”
Johanne O’Riordan, from Cemaes Bay, started work at the Oyster Catcher in October of last year just five days after her release from a nine year prison sentence for drug importation.
She said: “When was released from prison I thought I’d have no chance of finding a job on Anglesey or anywhere in North Wales to be honest.
“I had applied for jobs and as soon as you say you have been in prison you don’t hear another word.
“But I had a call from the Timpson Foundation asking if I’d like an interview and I jumped at the chance.
“I started work here at the Oyster Catcher just a few days after my release from prison. And I was given a full time chef’s job after successfully completing a three-month probationary period.”
Johanne received her nine year prison sentence after being caught trying to smuggle cocaine secreted in a back pack while on a flight from Peru.
She said: “Towards the end of my sentence I was working, in the daytime, in a café and had to return to prison every evening.
“I was asked to manage the café after I was released but wanted to return to Anglesey.
“I live with my partner and couldn’t be happier. No one cares here that I’ve been in prison and I haven’t got to worry about what people think.
“And I have been able to help other ex-prisoners who have come to work here too.
“I have been given a chance and I intend to grasp it with both hands.
“I love it here and am so grateful for the chance I’ve been given. My prison days are well and truly over and I can only look forward.”
Mr Roddick is a former judge and wanted to see at first had the transformational effect of the Timpson Foundation on people’s lives.
He said: “What the Timpson Foundation is doing here is an act of extraordinary generosity and understanding.
“There is nothing more important than enabling people to rehabilitate and to give them opportunities to prove they are worthy of that trust and chance.
“And I have to say, having met and chatted with Ally and Johanne, it is clear just how they, and society, benefits from this type of programme.
“These opportunities can be life-changing and the two people I have met and spoke with today clearly demonstrate that benefit.”
Mr Roddick also heard how the Oyster Catcher’s chef academy is helping young people with few prospects of gaining employment find a job and develop a career.
Set up by the Timpson Foundation the Oyster Catcher recruited its first batch of 16 cadet chefs in 2011 and is currently recruiting the class of 2014.
Mark Bayley added: “Our chef cadets, who are aged from 16 up to 24, tend to have personal issues which is preventing them from finding work or suitable training.
“It may be they have issues with drugs, drink or suffer self-harming or it may just be a lack of confidence or other issues.
“The selection process involves interviews and team building tests to ensure the scheme is suitable to be prospective chef cadet.
“Once selected, they work under our Michelin starred head chef, Roger Gorman, who set up the training programme.
“The first year is spent at Coleg Menai where, alongside their classroom studies, trainees enjoy enrichment days such as hiking in Snowdon, fishing trips and foraging expeditions to learn more about food.
“The second year is spent here at the Oyster Catcher where they hone their skills and develop their personalities.”
Sioned Evans, the Timpson Foundation’s Chef Academy welfare officer, told Mr Roddick how, after completing the 21-month course, cadet chefs are guaranteed a job.
She said: “Previous cadet chefs are now working all over the UK. We have one who is working in a Jamie Oliver restaurant in Manchester while others are working in Somerset, Chester right across North Wales.
According to Mr Roddick, the chef academy is doubt giving young people a real chance in life.
He said: “The fact the Timpson Foundation is on hand during the time the cadets are in college providing support, mentoring and even financial assistance is more than admirable.
“It clearly demonstrates a commitment to a programme that is having a very positive effect on the job prospects of a large number of young people across Anglesey and the surrounding region.
“The fact former students have gone onto find employment demonstrates the benefit’s the scheme has brought to the region.
“Ultimately giving young people training and real opportunities is having a positive effect on society here on Anglesey and across North Wales generally.”
