COMMENDEE 2025-26: Catering Officer Colin is Commended for the rehabilitative support he gives to the women he employs in the canteen at Hydebank Wood College – building their confidence and self-esteem, helping them gain industry-recognised qualifications, and assisting many to find work in the sector on release.

This nomination was drawn up by Paul Smith – Deputy Governor, Hydebank Wood College; and signed off by Richard Taylor – Governing Governor, Hydebank Wood College.

Introduction

Mr Colin Forrester is a catering officer at Hydebank Wood College, where he has managed The Cabin, the staff canteen, for the past 10 years. He leads a small team of female prisoners, fostering a supportive learning environment that enables them to gain industry-recognised qualifications in hospitality and catering. His truly believes that teaching the residents to cook is not only an essential life skill, but is something that will also lead them into employment upon release.

Reasons for the nomination

Colin has dedicated a decade to his role at Hydebank Wood College, where he manages The Cabin, the staff canteen. His leadership of a small team of female prisoners has created a safe and nurturing environment for them to learn and gain qualifications in hospitality and catering. This teaching goes beyond the residents and includes the kitchen staff not only in Hydebank Wood but in other establishments where he oversees their NVQ assessments.

Colin’s calm and compassionate nature allows him to treat the women he works with as colleagues, fostering a sense of respect and teamwork. He is dedicated to bringing out the best in each individual, helping to build their self-confidence and self-esteem.

Colin consistently goes above and beyond in his role. The Cabin serves over 100 people daily, and he ensures that the quality of food and service never falters. He trusts his team to work with minimal supervision, which has a significant positive impact on their self-esteem and confidence.

Colin has effectively broken down barriers between staff and prisoners, creating a welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels valued. He uses the facility as a platform to showcase the quality of catering provided by his team, welcoming visitors with a smile. The Cabin also caters for the Northern Ireland Prison Service training College, so the new recruits can see him showcasing how positive interactions with prisoners can transform their lives. He is the very embodiment of the Hydebank Ethos, Changing Minds, Changing Lives

One of his notable initiatives is the Cabin Visits, a monthly event where families of residents are able to come in and share a meal together with their loved one. This opportunity is vital for nurturing healthy family relationships, which are essential for rehabilitation. He is so dedicated to this that he even gave up his own Father’s Day to come in run the most recent event. Colin has also pursued additional qualifications, enabling him to train both prisoners and staff in industry standards across various establishments.

His unwavering belief in the impact of his work is evident in the support he provides to prisoners seeking employment upon release. Colin has personally endorsed individuals at potential job locations, meeting with potential employers and providing his recommendations first hand, thus demonstrating his commitment to their success. By doing this he has helped a number of prisoners secure full time employment upon release and developed relationships with potential and future employers

Colin’s influence is reflected in the words of those he has supported. Prisoners express gratitude for his guidance, noting that he has made their experience in prison more manageable and enjoyable. His dedication to his role and the lives of those he works with truly makes him worthy of recognition.

Support for the nomination

When I placed the Butler Trust information notice up in The Cabin I was immediately approached by all of the women who work there asking me how they could support an application for Colin. They all felt so passionate about the positive work that he does and how well he has treated them. They gave the following words of support:

• ‘Colin is an amazing person, it is the first place in the prison where I don’t feel I am so much a prisoner. I learn lots of things from him, he’s the best boss’
• ‘Colin is a great officer, listener, teacher and most of all he has a great sense of humour. He has always been there when we need help and he has taught me a lot in the Cabin.’
• ‘I feel very grateful to be a part of Colin’s team in the Cabin. He has a great work ethic and dedication to his role. Colin is supportive and encouraging for all of us who work here. Colin and the catering team have helped to make my transition into prison life more manageable and at times enjoyable’

To me this this just says everything about Colin and what sort of person he is. He is without doubt an absolute star and is just one of the reasons why Hydebank has become a success.

Sign off

Yearly I have immense pride signing off Butler Trust nominations reflecting on the great work by our staff, but none more than this nomination. Colin has created a very unique specialised working environment that is making real and lasting change for individuals who come under his leadership. The nomination cannot do justice to the achievements over more than a decade, life changing qualifications that he has taken time to nurture and sustain, that change minds and change lives, i recommend this nomination without reservation and look forward to seeing Colin gain the worthy Butler Trust recognition at national level.

Richard Taylor, Governing Governor, Hydebank Wood College