Prison philanthropist Lady Edwina Grosvenor visits University to mark 200th year anniversary

Leading prison reformer Lady Edwina Grosvenor has made a thought-provoking contribution to Manchester Met’s annual International Crime and Justice Film Festival, choosing a powerful film and engaging in a Q&A about women, trauma, and social justice.

Lady Edwina’s visit marked the University’s 200^th year anniversary and continued the family’s long-held institutional links, following her late father Gerald Grosvenor, the 6^th Duke of Westminster’s, role as Chancellor of Manchester Met from 1992 to 2005.

Founder and chair of One Small Thing, an organisation that aims to redesign the justice system for women and their children, Lady Edwina’s choice for the final screening of the festival was the 1988 film The Accused, starring Jodie Foster.

Acclaimed for its handling of sensitive issues around women and the justice system, the hard-hitting drama follows a waitress and her efforts to prosecute her rapists and the men who induced the assault.

Through her prison reform work, Lady Edwina aims to pioneer a new approach to working with justice involved women, offering a healing, trauma-informed residential environment with a range of specialist support.

Her festival Q&A addressed the impact of trauma on justice involved women and the need for a more compassionate approach in the justice system, themes The Accused tackles head-on.

She said: “I was pleased to be invited to choose a film for this important festival. The Accused makes for harrowing viewing, but it powerfully portrays the struggles justice involved women face.

“Our charity One Small Thing’s vision is for a justice system that can recognise, understand and respond to trauma. I’m delighted to support Manchester Met in its efforts to highlight social justice issues and encourage us to think about the people whose lives are affected by the justice system.”

Lady Edwina’s visit to the International Crime and Justice Festival reinforces her links with Manchester Met, whose mission to tackle inequalities will be the focus of the 200 year anniversary campaign later this year.

Earlier this year, Lady Edwina met Manchester Met Sociology and Criminology BA and BSc (Hons) students, giving them a personal tour of Hope Street, One Small Thing’s pioneering residential community for women and their children experiencing the justice system.

The University’s International Crime and Justice Festival has been running since 2019, with the mission of screening great films which provoke debate and provide an alternative take on crime, justice and punishment in the 21^st century.

Organiser Kevin Wong, Reader in Community Justice and Associate Director, Criminal Justice at the University’s Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU), said: “We were delighted to welcome Edwina to our film festival. Having dedicated her career to driving systematic change within the justice system, she was the perfect choice to select our final screening.

“Edwina’s film selection made for uneasy viewing but certainly met the brief of prompting interesting discussion and debate. We were fortunate enough to hear firsthand how her pioneering work with justice involved women is helping to shape a fairer and more compassionate system.”

Manchester Met is celebrating its 200^th year anniversary in 2024. To find out more go to 200 years of Manchester Metropolitan University (mmu.ac.uk)