The Michael Perham University and Cathedral Lecture 2026

Education, Justice and Spirituality:  Is spirituality the missing ingredient to our underperforming education and justice systems?

This talk is presented by the Reverend Canon Steve Chalke MBE, founder of the Oasis Trust.

Steve is a distinguished author, speaker, former UN Special Advisor on Human Trafficking, and Baptist minister. In 1985, he founded the Oasis Trust, a leading charity dedicated to building inclusive local communities.

Today, Oasis operates across multiple countries, providing housing, education, healthcare, and various community-building initiatives. In England, Oasis runs 56 schools and recently opened Oasis Restore, the UK’s first Secure School – a groundbreaking therapeutic alternative to youth prisons designed to support high-risk children and young people in the justice system. Steve is also a regular media commentator, and his latest book is called A Manifesto for Hope.

This year’s lecture is taking place at The Chapel, Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham, GL50 4AZ. Pay and display parking is available at the campus. There will be a retiring collection in aid of the Oasis Charitable Trust.