St Giles is delighted to share that Maria McNicholl, who set the foundations for St Giles’ lived experience eco-system, has been awarded an MBE in the Birthday Honours List announced on Saturday 13 June.
The honour is in recognition of Maria’s dedicated and pioneering work in prisons which has transformed the lives of thousands of men and women across England and Wales.
Maria established our Peer Advisor Programme in HMP Wandsworth in 2002. It provides vocational Level 3 Advice and Guidance training to serving prisoners who use their skills to provide peer support to other prisoners in need of advice around issues such as housing, employment and access to services.
What began as a purely practical move to address the homelessness problem amongst prison leavers in south London soon expanded to 59 prisons. Benefits around employability, increased resettlement and positive effects within the prison environment became evident and backed up by evaluations of the programme.
Alongside developing the Peer Advisor Programme, Maria has established other pioneering services such as a phone-based support line for women in prison which enabled over 130 women to gain Level 3 & 4 qualifications. She has also introduced higher-level courses rarely available in prisons, making qualifications equivalent to A Levels accessible to non-traditional learners.
Since the start, over 3,000 people have been trained as Peer Advisors across England and Wales.
Maria said:
I’m humbled by what started out as a small project over 24 years ago has now touched the lives of so many people. I would like to give heartfelt thanks to everyone who shared my belief that people in prison can overcome barriers, realise their potential and become positive contributors.”
She continued:
It’s truly been a privilege to carry out this work, and I hope this honour serves as a reminder to everyone that people in prison should not be forgotten – but given hope, opportunities and support to rebuild their lives.”
Alumni from the Peer Advisor Programme have progressed onto management roles in charities, running their own businesses and influencing policy on justice.
Andy Cross, Executive Director of Development at St Giles, has worked with Maria for many years. He said:
I’m absolutely thrilled for Maria. It’s a real testament to her dedication, compassion and vision – qualities which have enabled St Giles to become a key voice in the justice sector. Maria has tirelessly championed the value of lived experience and been instrumental in helping us build our capacity and profile.
Andy continued:
She has played an active and involved role in helping St Giles to become known as a lived experience led organisation. Despite her achievements, she remains humble and committed to what she describes as the ‘real work’ teaching and mentoring prison learners and professionals.”
Maria retired from her role at St Giles in March 2026 but continues to volunteer as a Prisons Trainer.