Wiltshire prison volunteer honoured with MBE

Helen Holtam runs origami workshops at Erlestoke

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 2nd May 2024

A volunteer at Wiltshire's only prison has been given an MBE by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace.

Helen Holtam was named in the New Year's Honours List for services to prisoners at Erlestoke on Salisbury Plain.

She's been running origami workshops for inmates there since 2017.

Helen spoke to the PA news agency following her investiture by Princess Anne:

"It's a good use of their time, it's therapeutic for them, and also they know it's going to a good purpose.

"There's not enough (money) spent on prisoners and some of them live in very, very bad conditions as well."

The origami artworks made during the classes are sold for between £3 and £4 each.

The sales have raised nearly £50,000 so far, which goes towards good causes, including a charity which helps rehabilitate prisoners into society.

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