From Peckham to purpose: Jamie’s story of art and giving back

When Jamie introduces himself, it’s with the quiet confidence of someone who’s seen both sides of life. “My name is Jamie, grew up in Peckham in south London,” he begins. “From a young age, I’ve been in sort of active addiction. So prison sentences, borstals — I’ve been in contact with probation and places like that for probably a few decades.”

His journey through addiction and incarceration was marked by brief flashes of light — positive interventions that often couldn’t take hold in the long term. “You can’t always keep that ‘good boy’ persona up. You have to fall back into the bad boy sort of thing to fit in with the environment,” he reflects.

But eventually, something changed.

Inside prison, an art teacher and a Catholic nun noticed something in Jamie. “The art teacher entered me into a competition once and I won a prize — I think it was the Koestler Awards.” That moment, and a chance encounter with Longford Trust’s Rachel Billington at an exhibition, became a turning point.

Jamie became a Longford Trust scholar, studying for an art degree — something he’d dreamed of since boyhood. “At the bottom of my road was Camberwell College of Arts. I always dreamt of doing what those guys did. That was my daydream place.”

Support from the Trust was both financial and personal. “The mentoring was probably worth its weight in gold,” Jamie says. “They’re always very different people from my life — very kind, very helpful, very well-established.” His mentor, Catherine, would even travel from Bath to take him for coffee.

Since graduating in 2017, Jamie has opened an art gallery, offering the space at cost to local colleges and universities. “They teach their ‘naughty kids’ there… they get to run things themselves. It doesn’t pay the bills, but it’s something.”

He’s modest about his achievements, but they speak for themselves. “I wasn’t introduced to art as a therapy tool,” he explains, “but I’ve almost therapised myself out through art.”

Today, Jamie runs art therapy classes at the rehab centre he once attended and goes into prisons to promote education and the Longford Trust. “Someone gave me a chance. Hopefully I can catch one person. If I can make a difference to one person’s life, it’s all been worth it.”

Probation also played a part in his transformation. “It was never a negative for me. You’d come out with some money in your pocket, clothing grants, but more than that there was genuine care.”

His advice for anyone at a crossroads? “Have faith in what you decide. Trust that the right people will connect with you in a positive way. You’ve got to soldier through. It gets better.”

Now, Jamie runs an annual art competition for those in recovery. He’s not finished evolving yet, but his path already stands as proof of what’s possible when people are seen, supported, and given a second chance.

Keep up with Jamie and his gallery at www.instagram.com/thegalleryweston

About the Longford Trust
The Longford Trust is a charity dedicated to giving second chances through education. It provides scholarships, one-to-one mentoring and practical support to people who have been in prison, helping them access and succeed at university. By offering stability, encouragement and opportunities, the Trust empowers scholars to transform their lives and contribute positively to society.

If you’re interested in mentoring, donating, or finding out more, visit www.longfordtrust.org to get involved.