When asked how he brings life to his role at HMP Humber, Rev Matt shared his heart for the work: "I seek to bring life in my role by facilitating people to engage with God in a way that they feel comfortable and in a way that they understand."

Matt’s approach as a prison chaplain is rooted in meeting people where they are. While conversations in the chapel or on the wings can be powerful, Matt knows that often, the real moments of reflection and change can also happen in the quiet of a prison cell:

That's often when God's at work. Through Lifewords resources, they engage with God in a deeper way.

Matt continues: "Once they see a new resource, everybody wants it and they want it because they want to engage with it. And out of that have come the conversations: 'What does it mean to be a Christian? How do I become a Christian? Is there a church out there that really wants to know me? How do I engage in that church? How do I become part of that church family?'"

"These are resources that keep on giving. In prison, if you give me a book, I'll read that book, and then once I've read it, I give it to somebody else and somebody else and somebody else. It goes round the whole wing."

Through the power of accessible, relatable resources and a ministry rooted in compassion, faith, and authenticity, Matt is witnessing lives being changed one book, one cell, one conversation at a time.

Lifewords resources are often included in distraction packs given to those in distress – men who are often at rock bottom, struggling with thoughts of self-harm or despair.

Without these resources we wouldn't have anything to give those lads who are struggling. I've seen it make a difference where, instead of harming themselves, inmates have sat and read a booklet and then have come back to me with loads of questions.

The impact isn’t limited to the men alone. The Lifewords booklets have also touched the lives of staff members. Matt shares, "I’ve seen staff picking up a Lifewords booklet and then going off a becoming active members of a church. Without these resources, we wouldn’t see that kind of difference in the lives of the men – or the staff."

Returning to HMP Humber

"When I was younger I made some wrong choices, wrong decisions, and ended up in prison myself. I remember I saw the value of chaplaincy team and saw the importance of the work that they do and I thought 'one day I want to do that'. But I never thought it'd be possible because of my criminal record."

"When I came out of prison I was a changed person,” Matt reflects. “I realised how important God was and turned my whole life around.” With the support of a loving wife and a strong church community, he pursued a new path, eventually becoming a vicar.

"There was still a part of me that wanted to do prison ministry, but never thought it'd be possible." That was until someone approached him and suggested that he apply for a role as a prison chaplain – at the very same prison where Matt had once served time. “This was unheard of,” he says. “It had never been done before.”

No two days are ever the same. The unpredictability of the role is both a challenge and a gift. “There are hard days too,” Matt admits, “but they’re outweighed by the good we do and the way that we see men change, and the difference our support makes in people’s lives.”

God continually uses me, continually blesses me, and continually encourages me to come in every day and do what I do. It's such a privilege, and I genuinely mean that. To come and serve the staff, the men and the chaplaincy team in this place is just an awesome honour.