The Maggie Oliver Foundation wins ‘Micro Organisation’ category at the 2026 Northern Power Women Awards

My team and I are over the moon to have won the ‘MICRO ORGANISATION’ category at the Northern PoWEr Women Awards 2026 💪 

This is an important moment in our journey and it needs to be marked, as it’s the first time we have been nominated for an award, and in addition, out of the huge judging panel of 92, the vote was almost unanimously in our favour which is truly incredible! Thankyou 💕

It’s a real testament to all the years of hard work, graft, commitment, passion and compassion of my wonderful team and it shows just how far we have come in the 7 (often long and painful!!) years since I had the crazy idea to start my own charity. The aim was always to help victims and survivors of sexual abuse to transform their horrendous ‘Pain into Power’ whilst also fighting for systemic change and highlighting all the injustice we see every day. 

It began because I had personally seen so much pain amongst the victims of so called ‘grooming gangs’ but now our work has spread so much wider, although we are still centrally involved in this work as all our supporters will know.

Since then though, building TMOF has consumed my own life, but along the way I’ve managed to ‘drag in’ some incredibly caring, committed but wonderful humans to help and to join the fight.

Along the way we’ve helped/supported/advocated for almost 5000 survivors, we’ve changed so many lives for the better and we are also ‘knee deep’ and leading the fight for systemic change of a criminal justice system that is truly broken, and a state that too often turns away from what really matters, whilst covering up corruption and neglect on an industrial scale! 

In my speech on Thursday I dedicated this award to my wonderful friend and colleague, and the person who runs our life changing emotional support service, who selects and supports every one of our 35 volunteers. She is also my confidente (and often my personal therapist!!!)  encouraging me through the toughest of times - Charlene Downey-Warwick . You’ve been alongside me through thick and thin, through all the ups and the downs, and the truth is that without you Chaz we just wouldn’t still be here…. And neither would I most likely!  Love you to the moon and back! 💕

There’s so many others to thank but you all know who you are - volunteers, staff, trustees, supporters, donors, trusted media contacts, documentary makers - the list goes on and on! We could not do this without everyone playing their part, and we are eternally grateful to you all. Thankyou! 💕

Thank you, Simone Roche MBE Northern PoWEr Women Awards  #NPWAwards for this wonderful award. It means the world to us as we forge ahead fighting for victims, survivors, change, transparency and accountability, it gives us encouragement, and hope that what we do is recognised. 

There’s still a long way to go, but we can, and we WILL,  bring change!!!  With your help…..